Good Morning Purposeful Listeners! Is that you? I always aim to be, but am not always successful. It takes focus to listen intently, discern and fulfill your revealed purposes of each day and for life in Christ. Going on a month and a half of sleeplessness and health issues finds me hard to stay focused and listen. It's even hard just to keep my quiet time alive. This morning is another example of that. 3:00 and still no sleep. A very long day lies ahead and I need to be on my game and following my purposes intently, yet I just want to sleep. Only God knows what stretching or correction or growing is allowing this season. Or maybe it's Satan trying to sift me or a test of faith. Sometimes it takes all you have to seek, focus, listen and follow God. I'm trying!
Two devos for today really tie to this. The Upper Room's titled "Listen" And TWFYT's about finding your purpose. You can't find your purpose if you don't seek, listen, surrender and follow God. One of our purposes is to seek and listen to God. They go hand in hand. Check them out below and seek God with all your heart. Don't lean on your own understanding and allow Him to lad you to and through your purposes for today. he does have great plans for you. Step out in faith, boldly into them!
One of my purposes right now is to cling to God and not my own devices and allow Him to lead me beside the still waters and to the green pastures. I have to choose to let Him carry me there. I am at the end of me and totally exhausted. I hear several of you are enduring this too. May we spur each other on, keep covering each other in prayer, and just allow God to have His way with us. Better days are ahead and until then commit to seeking, knocking, listening, discerning and following just as you are and as best as you can. That's all God expects!
So, shalom shalom...perfect peace to you and yours. God does have a plan no matter what you are going through and He is always there upholding you in His strong right hand. Amen! Speak Lord. Your servant is listening and wanting to follow you to my purposes for today. Come! Have all of me! Amen
UR: Listen
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” - 1 Samuel 3:10 (NIV)
I eased back into bed hoping for a few more minutes of rest before another long day began. My original plan to sleep late had been interrupted by an early summons to attend to my husband’s healthcare needs. Although I am usually able to return to sleep quickly, that morning sleep evaded me. While I lay still in the pre-dawn quiet, I became aware of the caw of a crow, trills from a songbird, the patter of gentle raindrops, and the soft sounds of breathing. Nothing exciting. Just restful reminders that God surrounds me with small gifts of peace and joy when I take time to listen.
The day’s responsibilities still stretched before me. My body still ached for rest. Nevertheless, God’s message of hope helped me rise to begin my day with assurance that I did not have to face it alone.
As Samuel responded to God in the middle of the night, I want to remain ready to listen when God speaks. May we never allow the busyness and bustle of daily life to mute the voice of the One who loves us beyond all measure.
Today's Prayer
Loving God, grant us listening hearts, ready to respond whenever and wherever you call. Thank you for the peace of your presence. Amen.
TWFYT
