Have you noticed, or is it just me? Lately, it seems as if there is just; So. Much. Noise!
Podcasts (And, there are some really good ones out there). Reality TV (Can you say; #MarriedAtFirstSight). Social media (#TIKToc -Use to be so much fun for me). The non-stop News Cycles with Endless Commentary. And an Algorithms that constantly serves us another person’s life, another person’s perspective, another person’s success, another person’s struggle, another person’s opinion about what we should think, how we should live, what we should believe, and sometimes even how we should feel.
And, It can all be Exhausting!
Recently, I heard the Lord say, “Pay Attention.” I began studying the word attention and how it showed up in the Bible and in my life…. And, what I found was that Bible attention begins with listening to God. Intentionally turning our ears toward Him rather than allowing every other voice to “compete” for our focus. Knowing that; what continues to receives our attention eventually influences our thoughts, desires, attitudes, and actions…..
This week’s blog is centered around me being transparent here and asking myself some tough questions, after clearly hearing direction from the Lord…… My response was to began Fasting and fine tuning my ear. Lord, speak, I prayed – your servant is listening! Its easy to become distracted, non of us are immune. And, some of the greatest distraction isn’t necessarily something bad. Sometimes it is simply too much: Too much information. Too many opinions. Too many voices. Too much comparison. Too much commentary. And, too much looking outward when God may be inviting us to look inward.
The Gift of Getting Away
Jesus understood the importance of getting away from the noise. Scripture tells us:
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16
If Jesus made time to withdraw, to get away, to pray and be alone with the Father, surely we need to do the same; To be intentional, To put down the phone, turn off the computer and to, steal away to the quiet. Not because we don’t care about what is happening in the world, but because we don’t want the world to become louder than the One who created it.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Stillness is not always comfortable. Because when everything gets quiet, we can hear things we may have been avoiding.
- Our own thoughts.
- Our attitudes.
- The ways in which comparison has crept in.
- And where pride has slipped through the door.
For me, I realized that perhaps the thing bothering me about someone else is something God wants to address in me. And that’s where it gets real.
What Do I Do With What I See?
Years ago, I prayed for the gift of discernment, and received it. I wanted to be able to recognize what was from God and what wasn’t. I wanted to know the difference between truth and deception. In short; I wanted and needed more Godly wisdom!
What I discovered in having discernment is that it is not always easy to know what to do, after you have seen what you saw; “Now that you see, What are you going to do with what you see?“
Discernment isn’t a license to judge people. It isn’t an invitation to become the critic of everybody else’s life. It isn’t permission to sit above someone else and point out everything that is wrong with them. Sometimes discernment is God allowing you to see clearly so that you can respond correctly. And sometimes the correct response is silence. Sometimes it is prayer. Sometimes it is love. Sometimes it is boundaries. And sometimes… God is showing us something because He wants to correct us. Ouch.
That one will preach to me before it ever preaches to anybody else.
The Bible says:
“Search me, God
There is so much noise out in the world right now, and its easy to become distracted. I know for me, it can be.
I have to be careful about overextending and/or overcommitting my schedule and allowing busyness to keep me from what makes my heart sing for real! Being in His presence. Alone, with my Bible, and Worship Music – praying and worshipping for an audience of one). I need this! This is my lifeline.
Confession: I do enjoy being on social media and seeing my friends and family (but lately, my algorithm seems to show me everything but…. And, I have found myself distracted – which is how I began watching the current season of, Married at First Sight. Very Entertaining. But, Why? There is still so much work to be done. That is me, That’s my story (no judgement to anyone else). Just asking myself some tough questions and reminding me, about the importance of being still before the Lord.
My hope and prayer is that something that I have said on this week’s blog will help you see ways in which you may have allowed yourself to be distracted. And, to tell you its ok. We all have experience those moments. But, I believe it important that we keep first things first.
Our time with God, our hearts, and our ability to see others correctly (the way God sees them) – must be guarded and prioritized. I hope this helps! This is what the Lord laid on my heart for this week.
Special Note: Thank you to all those who have subscribed to my blog. I really do appreciate the love, and encouragement you have shown. I am blown away by your kindness and it is beyond me how so many of you tune in from week to week. Again, thank you and please let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything that I wrote that you need me to clear up. Until next time… God Bless you all.
