Listen to Jesus' Invitation

Some mornings I awake full of faith ready to conquer the day. Other mornings I awake and the fullness of the day seeks to conquer my faith. Every morning, I awake I know uncertainty awaits me; I hear voices in my head announce my inadequacies; I hear accusations of unworthiness...AND I KNOW that I must silent all the pressures, the confusion, and any impossibilities to God. I must make the conscious decision to align my thoughts with God's.

How about you? 

Can I get really honest? In my life, God has called me to abandon it all for Him. And though serving Him is the greatest privilege of my life...RISKING it ALL for HIM can be overwhelming. At times I want to retreat, but honestly, where would I go? I can't help but press on, even when I feel like crawling back into bed and pulling the covers over my head. God's love and presence are my only hope. He alone has the power to silence my fear. He alone is my confidence and defender to the voices of inadequacy and impossibility.

Can anyone else relate?

Sometimes, I fall into the place the apostles did in Mark 6:30-31 where I am so busy doing ministry that I neglect my own need of being fed and filled. Check out their situation and Jesus' response: "The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."  (NIV)

Friend, I want to encourage you, today, in this moment, hush the hurried-ness of your day. Silent the voices of impossibility. Put aside your long to do list. And, with every ounce of your being, seek the Lord. Listen for His gentle nudges. Search for Him in His Word. Wait for His instruction.

We must meet with Jesus in that quiet place and get some rest. It's only in that place that we hear His Plans for our marriages, ministries, relationships, and lives. His voice alone reassures our faith, fills us with hope and gives us the confidence that We Can!

I sense Jesus whispering the same words he whispered to the apostles, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."  How about you?

If so, here's some helpful hints to draw away:

1. Find a quiet place. Away from the computer, telephone, TV, and YES! even people.
2. Spend a moment praising God for WHO HE IS. Maybe listen to a song of worship. 
3. Meditate on the truth of WHO GOD is in His WORD and speak it out loud, My God created all the stars and holds them in place...He is not limited...He can do the impossible...He shuts the mouths of Lions...He decapitates giants...He parts Red Seas...
4. Make sure to personalize His power in your life. He holds my future...He loves me and wants what's best for me...He has a plan for my life...
5. THEN, MOST IMPORTANTLY, INVITE HIM TO SPEAK! Lord, instruct me in this day. Tell me Your will. Show me Your plans.
6. Invite His presence to be real in your life. If He's calling you to love the unlovely...Share your frustrations and ask for His wisdom as to how. If He's calling you to the impossible, ask Him to increase your faith and strengthen you from fatigue. Be real with Him, that's essential to any relationship. Let Him know your concerns. 
7. Finally, Invite Him to move. Pray prayers of faith. God, I know I can't but you can. I lack the resources but You own it all. I lace the strength but by YOUR WORD the heavens were spoken into existence...so move on my behalf...that I might fully live for You!

Friend, I know I say this a lot...but I feel I must say it again: Faith does not conjure up a noble feat and attempt to force God to move the mountain through positive confession. It doesn't conjure up some noble notion and say, "Here I go...now bless!" Instead, faith simply recognizes God's will and trusts Him to accomplish all He has promised. Faith hears God's voice and then simply aligns one's life to follow after Him.


My prayer today is that God strengthens you as you draw away (by yourself) to a quiet place with Jesus!