The other day I was driving down the road and wouldn't you know it, my check engine light came on. My SUV is about 6 yrs old with almost 90,000 miles on it so I guess its to be expected almost. It has been a very reliable truck. Hardly any work required other than the normal oil changes and maintenance. But I got to thinking, what are the engine lights in our lives? The things we know we should take care of but don't?
At one point my check engine, low fuel, no seat belt & service brake system were all lit up. Whats your low fuel light look like in your life? Is it not taking the time to eat right and exercise? Raising my hand GUILTY as charged. Is it not taking time for yourself to have date night with your husband or a night with the girls? GUILTY as charged. What refuels you to get you to the next destination?
No matter what season of life you are in there are always challenges to overcome and things we could do better. I invite you to spend some time dwelling in the presence of the Lord and let him illuminate for you those areas that he wants to strengthen you in. then listen for the ways He wants you to do just that. If you listen & don't move, He will show up. You just have to be open and willing to listen.
If you have never done this or aren't sure how it works here is what I do. I turn everything in my house off, except for a light if its dark. I play worship music on my phone, I love technology. I start reading either my bible or a Christian book. When I feel led, I close them and just start having a conversation with Jesus. Its like he is sitting at my kitchen table, just two friends talking. Except he is not there in the flesh. But I imagine he is, I can see his face. I bought the bookmark size picture of him that the little 8 yr old girl Akaine did and keep it close in case I need a reminder. I invite the Holy Spirit to take a seat too. I ask for wisdom, understanding, revelation, forgiveness, all the things you would ask the smartest people in the world if you had them at your table. We just have conversation. Recently we had a conversation & I could feel Him leading me somewhere. We were on a rabbit trail for a while, but this is where we landed. On blogger, creating a blog, to share some of our chats, to maybe encourage some other people to be intentional about the time they spend with Him.
Sometimes the revelations come days or weeks or months or even years later, but I know the time I have spent with the Lord are precious. I know I am planting seeds for not only my children but future generations to come. I read the Circle Maker by Mark Batterson highly recommend it, but it talks about just that. Being intentional in prayer. Keeping a journal of your prayers. Watching your prayers unfold and how his life has been blessed because of it.
It might be uncomfortable at first, especially if you were raised in a religion like I was where God was an angry mean ole thing who punished you severely if you didn't listen to him. But if you start with even 5 minutes set aside for him you will see that your Spirit will start driving the desire to spend more and more time with him. Just like any relationship you will become closer over time.
I hope this encouraged you in some small way. In my next few blogs I will begin to unravel all the things that have happened to me over the course of the last 2 yrs and how I can see & touch the fruit of my time with Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment