Brother Ramon in his book “Hidden Fire” states: “Unless you can find God in the secret place of the heart in the midst of everyday noise and business, then physical solitude will be threatening and negative.”
Often, we long for special moments and special places where God can be met – when God wants to meet us in the midst of the everyday noise of life, right where we work and live. Brother Ramon suggests that if we cannot find him there, it is very unlikely we will find him in the scheduled times of solitude and seclusion either. Hearing Jesus is a habit we form, not a singular activity we schedule on our calendars a few times a year. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)
Psalm 91:1 says, “He who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” To dwell involves a constant returning of ourselves to the center of our lives. Ken Gaetz, a 93 year-old former missionary to the far north in Canada was asked how he accomplished so much. His response was simple. It was all about abiding. “I just kept saying yes to what the Lord prompted me to do.” Jesus said, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. …apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5 NIV)
Too often our counsel to needy souls is, “Here’s a good book. Read it.” Or “Have you seen that video clip?” Or “Go and talk to so and so.” Frequently all this is, is more noise! Jesus’ voice is seldom found among more noise or in the middle of our compulsive activity. His prescribed solution is found in abiding. A return again, and again, and again to the center of our lives which is Jesus himself. Hearing Jesus amid the noise is about clearing space for him right in the clutter of life.
Punctuation marks in the structure of grammar can teach us much on how to order our days. Commas represent brief pauses to reflect, pray, and regain perspective. We all need them. Semicolons are longer pauses to enable us to catch our breath, quiet our hearts, and move on. Periods, however, represent stops – a full return to the center of our lives to immerse ourselves in God’s presence to replenish our inner man for the long road ahead. (See Isaiah 40:31)
Jesus himself punctuated his life with these pauses in spite of the needs all around him. Each one giving God the Father space to reveal Himself and keep Him on track to fulfill his divine mission. They will do the same for us.
“Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered.” (John 15:7)
Be blessed my friend.
Glen (Pitts)
The Barnabas Group (Loads of Love)
Psalm 23:1-4; 46:10; John 15:1-17
