"Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind." Ecclesiastes 4:6 I came across this verse in Ecclesiastes last week and it encouraged...and yet frustrated me at the same time. We all experience seasons of quiet and seasons of busy, but often, it seems to be the season of quiet that is hardest to grip. We want things to do, things to happen, things to move and we want it done yesterday. That is the language we speak.
We are hardly fluent in the language of quiet.
God has given me a handful of quietness for right now, and honestly at times I haven't handled it well. But this verse reminded me there is purpose and dignity in a handful of quietness.
Whatever you find in your hand at this time, walk in step with God and seek what He teaching you in this season.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God and the Word was God." John 1:1
The Word.
Out of all the ways John could have started his gospel, this is certainly one of the more unique ways. He passes over the typical genealogical or cultural stage setting and reaches back to the beginning, the Very Beginning, invoking a Genesis-type intro to the last of the Gospels.
The Word. The Word.
In the beginning was the Word.
What does that mean and why did John choose those words to open his beautiful and unique Gospel?
In the HCSB version of John 1:1, the footnote says "The Word (In the Greek: Logos) is a title for Jesus as the communication and the revealer of God the Father."
Communication and revealer. I love that. My spirit literally went "Aha!"
Sure I have memorized this scripture, but I don't think I've ever really let the gravity of these words saturate my soul. Jesus communicated and revealed to us who God is through His time here on earth, as the written word (The Bible) continues to do so across the centuries.
I don't remember a time where I wasn't surrounded by words. My parents and grandparents read to me constantly as a kid and I was reading on my own by the end of kindergarten. I have always had tons of books and my eyes hungrily search for words as I eat or do other activities. I like word-decorated items, word games, play on words and word humor.
Words are my JAM.
God is leading me into a season of life where (prayerfully) words are going to play a bigger part. I have found myself asking myself why writing is important to me or why it's a big deal at all. There are so many books, blogs and magazines out there already. How are more words going to even matter?
He then brought John 1:1 to my mind.
Words matter. Words have power. Jesus himself is the Word.
As a Christian, God has called me to use my words (His words) to communicate and reveal who Jesus is. That's it. That's my job. We all have this responsibility by being his witnesses, but for me, this specifically applies to writing.
It doesn't matter (really) what direction my writing takes, what does matter is that I walk in obedience to the calling He has placed in my life.
Periodically, I feel the Lord leading me to spend a week quiet in His presence.
Truly quiet. No wrestling with decisions. No distracted praying.
Just... listening.
Listening for His voice in my soul.
"Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward." Isaiah 51:4-5
Do we really know how to listen? Remorsefully, I think about how often I fill the time with me and God with words...so many words. Not all bad ones. But do I stop enough to listen to Him? Do I pause long enough to hear His voice?
"Know this, my beloved brothers; let every person be quick to hear..."
James 1:19
In any relationship, there is talking and listening; giving and taking. Why should communicating with God be any different? We've been in those conversations that are really monologues. You can't get a word in to save your life, and if you happen to eke out a few thoughts, it's obvious the other person is just waiting for your mouth to stop moving so they can pick up where they left off.
Are we carrying on a monologue with God?
Our society puts much emphasis on words. Fill the void with words. They don't even have to be helpful or true it seems like...just produce words. We can't let that mentality bleed into our relationship with Jesus. If you find yourself (like me) lacking on listening, don't hesitate to relax in God's presence, close your eyes, and just listen. Whether He has something to say to you or simply wants to bless you with His nearness, let Him have the floor.
God has so refreshed me this week. I have felt His arms wrap around my soul.
I don't know about you, but I feel like our culture has worked overtime in order to outdo each other in deception. We've seen it all in the past 7 days:
Conspiracies. Hoaxes. Lies.
I'm really writing this note to myself, because I wanted to read something that wasn't a hoax, a conspiracy or a lie. If you too are weary of that, please read on.
During my devo time, the Lord brought to mind this old worship song:
"And Lord you are my hope Because you've created in me A heart that lives the victory That you've already won. "Oh Lord you're my protection from my enemies, You've set me high upon a rock and you defend my soul. And when their ways advance against me, I am confident That they cannot make me less, for you have made me whole."
This is the news story that God want his children to always turn their hearts toward. I can't tell you how this song blessed me this morning.
He is perfect protection.
He is Truth.
He is hope to all who will have Him.
I knew this and I believed this, but my "knower" I guess had to be reminded.
Maybe you don't buy into all this. I would ask you if you aren't tired as well of all the lies. Wouldn't you like for just once something to be true? For something to work out in your favor?
"Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed."
Lamentations 3:22
I think it's obvious that left to our own devices, devoid of God, we consume each other.
From Psalm 73, NLT version:
"These fat cats have everything their hearts could wish for!
They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.
And so the people are dismayed and confused,
drinking in all their words.
'What does God know?' they ask.
'Does the Most High even know what's happening?'
Yes, He does.
"Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside...
Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit grow weak,
but GOD remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever."
Be encouraged, friends. God is still on the throne.
I don't know about you, but that's the best news I've read all week.
In my quiet time this morning, I started thinking about some of my favorite worship songs and I realized that there are only a handful that have stayed on my iPod (and now iPhone) since I got my first Apple product on my 16th birthday.
Here are the 5 songs that never leave my iPod and my favorite lines/scriptures that match up with them.
5) Take My Life (And Let it Be)
Take my intellect, and use every power as you choose. Take my will, and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine; Take my heart, it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind."
Matthew 22:37
4) Praise to the Lord the Almighty
Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him! All that hath life and breath Come now with praises before Him.
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!"
Psalm 103:1
3) It is Well With My Soul
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul.
"Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you."
2) Lord, You're Holy
Wonderful, glorious, holy and righteous, victorious conqueror, triumphant and mighty. Healer, deliverer, shield and defense, strong tower and my best friend. Omnipotent, Omnipresent, soon coming King, Alpha, Omega, Lord of everything; holy, holy, holy is Your name.
"For I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me."
Isaiah 46:9
1) Medley: In Christ Alone/Solid Rock No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me, From life's first cry, to final breath.Jesus commands my destiny.
This is another thought that has occured to me: In a way, this technology has enhanced my relationship with God. Here's why: sometimes you have to have church by yourself.
There have been many late nights or other random times where I have needed to put on some worship music and put myself before the throne of God. And having my music in this format allows me to have a worship service ready to go in my pocket, and it won't disturb anyone else! Haha!
In today's selection from Jesus Calling, a scripture resonated with me in a way that it hadn't before.
"...You have chosen the better thing and it will not be taken away from you."
This scripture is Luke 10:42 and is referring to the story of Mary and Martha. Jesus was commenting on Mary's choice to commune with Him and how that wouldn't be taken from her.
The devo today talked about the rewards of choosing to commune with God even though sometimes it is not appreciated or even misunderstood by others, like in the story of Mary and Martha. God promises returns when we choose Him, and those rewards are not to be taken away.
This hit home with me as recently I found out that my internship will not pan out how I desired. I enjoyed the work, was very good at it and have received excellent feedback from my immediate superiors. For reasons beyond my control and theirs, it just simply isn't going to pan out beyond the end of July.
A choice is before me: blare my "I'm discouraged" horn (and in this case, I would have good reason to) or hum a different tune.
As we all know, throughout our lives there are seemingly worthwhile ventures that we invest ourselves in and seemingly get nothing. They are "taken away from us," so to speak. It is an encouraging reminder as God's kids that no matter what endeavors in our lives fail to bring returns or are taken away from us, those daily decisions to commune with Him, the hourly decisions to choose HIM over all, will never fail to reward and it can't be taken away from us. I like that kind of security. That's just how it works in God's economy.
