Before the Lord
This will be a short post because of it’s convicting message for me.
One of my struggles with writing had been with plopping down in front of the computer WITHOUT seeking God first. Why, oh why, oh why is it so hard to be still before the Lord? I know the reason for me. I’m a doer…a choleric/meloncholy by birth who has to multitask to feel I’m being productive. That’s why I read and exercise at the same time. 
Why is it so hard for me to be still before the Lord? In all honesty, even this blog comes before the Lord on certain days. It’s so much easier to vent…release…write instead of quietly letting go and sitting in the presence of God.
I received an email devotional reminder today from Tozer devotionals from Literature Ministries International.
It is written of Moses that he “went in before the Lord to speak with him…and he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel.”…No man has any moral right to go before the people who has not first been long before the Lord. No man has any right to speak to men about God who has not first spoken to God about men. And the prophet of God should spend more time in the secret place praying than he spends in the public place preaching….” The Root of the Righteous, 121-122.
Now if only I could apply that to my life as a wife, mother, homeschooler, and writer.
Excuse me while I go before the Lord…
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Wow. Very beautiful and convicting. But . . . here’s another thought. I have friends who say they communicate with God better while moving–so they prayer walk, etc. They said it helps them stay focused. I’ve also been encouraged to exercise to praise music, setting my mind on Him while moving. IMHO, we sometimes think holiness is being still in the wee hours of the morning. And Scripture does say to be still and know He is God. But, I think being still in our Spirit, in our heart is really what this means. Maybe you’d feel more successful walking and listening to the Bible on CD or praying since you are a multi-task type person.
Also, I’ve found my deeper times with the Lord usually happen when I pray through a pen. This frustrates me in a way, because it is so time-consuming and sometimes I’m simply tired of writing!! But, something about praying while writing it out in my journal really helps me because it keeps me focused. Guess I’m a verbal processor, whether talking or writing.
The other thing God is showing me is that He is the leader of the dance. I’ll go through deep seasons where we spend lots of time alone together and then it just sort-of stops and I get frustrated and feel guilty and wonder why. I’m trying to learn to ask Him to drawn me nearer again instead of being mad at myself about those seasons. My pastor told me once that in his life an extended period of deeper times alone with God usually preceeded a time of intense service with less time in meditation. He felt there was an ebb and flow with God that God leads. That made sense to me.
Ok. Enough verbal processing through these fingers! LOL
April 9th, 2006 at 5:07 pmYou’ve made some great points here. In fact, I’ve started doing “Praisercize” several mornings a week with my kids. I get out the weights and march around to praise music while they finish breakfast and then join in. That really does help me focus on the Lord!
I used to write in my prayer journal until the kids came along. It’s just too hard to find the uninterupted time nowadays, but this blog is turning into a public prayer journal and I already see ways God’s speaking to me through all of the comments and posts.
I like what you said about quieting our Spirit, that makes a lot of sense. I’ll have to remember that, especially tomorrow since it’s Monday.
April 9th, 2006 at 5:56 pmVery thought-provoking and convicting post. I feel ashamed that I had not even contemplated seeking God before I wrote each word out. Thank you for posting this and reminding me that God wants to be in EVERY area of my life.
April 10th, 2006 at 12:54 pm