Day 15: First Things First
Have you ever been to a big Rugby or Soccer game in a stadium filled to capacity? The buzzing vibe of excited people ready to cheer their respective teams is a festive experience that can be quite enjoyable unless if you are allergic to noise. The loud music, people singing and dancing, and people talking excitedly can be very loud - and this is before the game starts, once the game is on the noise goes to another level and For the most part if you have brought someone with you to the game you have to often shout at them in order for them to hear you. It is quite difficult to hear the person sitting next to you without that person raising their voices let alone someone sitting in the next section of the stadium trying to catch your attention. The nearer you are the more you can at least hear someone.
I used to have a contract with a client whose offices were housed at a sixty thousand seater Stadium. During the week when it was office hours and the stadium was empty you could be able to shout out to someone who is on the other side of the stadium and almost have a conversation but come the weekend when the big soccer matches would be played you would have to wait to be away from the crowded stadium to have a decent conversation with someone.
Pastor Andre shared a similar illustration on the importance of being alone with God in order to hear his voice as we pray. So many times we don't get to hear God's voice because we are talking to him at the crowded moment of our lives. Making time to be alone with God with God is strategic in learning to hear from him. Even Jesus withdrew to lonely places to have a time of prayer.
As we begin the last 7 days of our 21 day journey of Prayer and fasting, it is crucial to position ourself to hearing God's voice as God's word has a lasting and transformative effect on our lives. We often miss out on hearing God speak because our lives have become too crowded with the voices of everything else such that it is like being in a stadium where you are competing with so much noise you hardly get to hear the person next to you that you want to hear from.
The first step in hearing God speak to you is to make time to be alone with him! When you silence the crowds of activity in your life you get to a place of quiet time where you are positioned to hearing the one who is priority in your life. Reflect on the scripture below and be inspired to make alone time with God!
James 4:8 (NLT)
'Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. '
'One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” '
'But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. '
'The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord . '
'Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.” '
Prayer & Fasting Action tip
As you end your day today, Make your way to one of the View Locations in Camps Bay, Melkbos or Tableview. At 7pm we will be having a time a Worship & Prayer - These Power hour moments have a way of catapulting you into God's presence so that you can hear God as he speaks to you. Unlike the crowded stadium experience, The place of worship is geared to take aways all distractions and allow you to be led to connect with God. Join us from today until Friday for 5 Power Hour evenings at the 5x5 Worship & Prayer Evenings.
Comments