WE NEED QUIET—A RETREATING AWAY FROM DISTRACTIONS AND WITH GOD—TO HELP US KNOW WE ARE NOT ALONE.
My brother Hyatt told me that once in a quiet moment with God, he heard Him say, "I'm proud of you, Hyatt." Just like something he would say to his own son. Hyatt needed that affirmation at that particular moment. He would not have heard it without being still.
We need to be still, and if necessary, place Be Still on our daily to-do lists. Maybe in bold letters, like a command worth keeping.
God placed it on his weekly list. He rested on the 7th day. He wasn't tired, but he modeled what he knew we'd need. He looked back over the first 6 days of Creation and said, "It was good." Not that there was any question in his mind.
I do have questions in my mind. Should I have said that? Will God make good on my mistakes? Could I have done better? Should I stay in bed today? Like, all day, just to stay out of trouble? If only I had prayed more—would that have made a difference? And, what does God really want me to do with the last 20 years of my congnitive viability, if that?
Only when I've sat quietly in His presence—or at the sink or folding laundry—and really asked Him what He wants, can I go ahead with whatever activity He lays before me with confidence that He will make it good, that He will bring the fruit of my labor, and that I'm following His direction.
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS, A COMMAND WORTH KEEPING
Joshua helps me remember I am not alone. He was taking over a BIG JOB from a BIG LEADER: Moses himself. He needed to be confident. Not in himself. If he was smart, he needed to realize how smart he wasn't. And place all confidence in God, alone.
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:7-9
In a word, or several:
- Be strong
- Be very courageous
- Obey the Law (to the "T")
- You'll be successful if you do
- Keep the Law on your lips
- Think on it day and night (so you don't forget it and mess up)
- You'll be prosperous, then
- It's a command (which is for your good)
- Don't be scared
- Don't give up
- Why? Because I'm with you wherever you go (and I'm the Lord your God, in case you forgot)
My pastor once said (although he doesn't remember—which makes me like him even more)—"Trusting God is going ahead while afraid."
Trust means faith. If we knew everything that was ahead of us, we wouldn't need faith or trust.
BUILD TRUST: SAY "YES" WHEN GOD SAYS, "GO"
Bernie May, former Director of Wycliffe Bible Translators, once told a bunch of young missionaries, "Take risks for God." I was in the audience. I was all for it. But, I thought to myself, "I think it's more risk to not take risks for God."
I'm sure you get that. God is worth taking risks for.
Someone said, "Trusting God is like going out on a limb and finding out it was only a curb."
Of course, we won't know it's a curb if we don't jump.
What risk, big or small, might God be asking of you today? It could be a risk to:
- Invite two young families in your neighborhood for dinner (this is on my mind because I just did this and it's coming up)
- Volunteer to watch little kids for your church ministries (MOPS always needs more extra moms to hold babies)
- Tell someone you're sorry for what you said in the heat of the moment
- Quit your job
- Get a job
- Write a letter
- Write a book
- Take lessons in something creative, just because
- Believe that God loves you, no matter what
- When someone compliments you, believe what they say is true—a voice from God that you are loved through and through—ignoring those naysayers in your head, as Lisa Lewis put it.
ANOTHER WAY TO BUILD TRUST: SPEND ALONE TIME WITH GOD ON A REGULAR BASIS (I'LL HELP)
That's why I made these two printables. You may have a journal you love and a Bible Study you are working through. But these can brighten up or add some much-needed creativity and refreshment for your time with God. And, they are free. I do love free.
The first printable gives a list of "Essentials", "How to get Started", and what to put in your "Retreat Basket." The second printable gives you a fresh idea to use each day of the week. They are pretty because my assistant, Julia Matrinez, made them. And I so appreciate her help!
Retreating regularly with God helps you know you are not alone.
Do you know someone who could use some encouragement in spending time with God? It can be easier to make it come from someone else, like me, a stranger. Then you don't feel judgy, just encouraging.
Share with a friend HERE.
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