“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.” (Psalm 143:8)
It wasn’t the first time that I had found myself in a familiar setting and able to be alone with my thoughts, concerns and the pressing needs of others. And then I remembered the example of the king who was identified as “the man after God’s own heart.”
- What a calm beautiful morning it was to start the day. It was one of those ‘chamber-of-commerce’ kind of days and it was so refreshing, therapeutic and soul-strengthening!
- It was one of those mornings that we are all in need of and sometimes fail to seize it or even recognize it.
- Were there plans already made and in motion for the coming of this new day? Absolutely!
- Was it going to become busy, hectic, even borderline frenzied? Absolutely!
- Were there going to be some ups and downs, maybe some turnarounds and hidden surprises waiting around the corner? Absolutely!
- Were there going to be some challenges that would exceed even our imagination? Absolutely!
You see … every day brings with its arrival … life! And our days, yours and mine, are comprised of the good, the bad, and the ugly! Like it or not! Accept it as fact or deny and pretend its not there! Life happens.
Back to the most wonderful way my day started. As I sat on the new swing, mesmerized by the sound of a gentle fountain with cascading water over several levels beside me, and in front of me the beautiful and at the moment peaceful and calm lake, I was in a place I knew I needed to be in.
Other than the occasional sound of an incoming or outgoing jet … it was simply quiet! But it was not just quiet I needed … I needed wisdom, courage and strength to properly handle the tumultuous atmosphere of the world around us! Do you ever feel that way? I am guessing you know exactly what I am talking about.
Then the silence of the morning found accompaniment like an instrument joining other instruments in perfect harmony. It was the sound of a small little bird tweeting its beautiful and unique tweet … only to be followed by the percussion sounds of a hungry fish trying to catch a dragonfly!
All I know to tell you … to say to you is …it was just one of those moments.
Then, the sounds of workmen appearing on their nearby job site, the sounds of traffic and sirens in the distance … followed by a phone call bearing the needs of a dear friend needing encouragement, advice … and looking and listening for a voice of hope!
Psalm 19 reminds us that God speaks to us … and He does so more than we realize or perhaps even appreciate!
Oh, I am not speaking of His speaking to us with His voice directly in some mysterious whisper or message. All of His speaking directly ended with the coming and dying of His only begotten Son and the completion of God’s inspired revelations, penned by those who were guided by the Spirit of God!
I’m talking about God speaking to us through this beautiful and awesome world that we are privileged to live in for only a short time. Yes, He does speak to us every day through His creation. “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). That’s part of getting it right!
Each one of us needs to spend more time … making the time … to listen to His revealed Book and reflect, meditate asking for a greater willingness to know God better, retain more of the divine truth and wisdom He has offered to us … and asking for the courage to apply it to our heart and life! That’s part of getting it right!
The older I have become the more I understand the value of needing the “light of God’s Word to light my way” (Psalm 119:105; 1 Peter 2:1,2. The battle for our souls includes the diversion tactics of busyness, distraction of every kind, but also the emotional disturbances of life and relationships. Yes, our adversary is very busy these days … stalking our souls, dangling the carrots of life, pleasure, wealth, seeking to entice us to make the wrong choice! Anything that can hinder and cause us to tune out or at least turn down the volume of God’s appeal!
Would you try … no … would you decide to spend more of your time choosing to hear the voice of God over the voices of the world. Remember, Satan is pleased the busier he can encourage us to be!
David sought the counsel of God to lead him in the way he should go! Oh, how I wish that more would make the wise choice of listening to and choosing God’s will over their own selfish and stubborn will! That’s getting it right!
As for tomorrow morning, if the Lord grants me another day … I plan to make my way down the pathway that leads to the swing by the fountain overlooking the lake with my morning cup of coffee … with both eyes open along with a heart that wants to hear and see what really counts the most! Would you like to join me? Find your place to start your day with God. I am trying with all of my being to get it right!
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
No comments yet.