Ponder and Pray
Life can be so distracting.
Are you distracted with too many things??
If you are anything like me you tend to get overwhelmed by all the noise of the world. Our emails, text messages and Instagram feeds are flying at us from every direction.
When was the last time you intentionally shut out the clutter and truly begin to focus on the one who created us? Sometimes our lives are so cluttered that we don't even notice or we wonder how we let it get so bad.
The Bible tells us that we are dearly loved by God and He cares about every detail of our lives.
“casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].”
1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)
He wants your full heart as you live out your days and He has a lot to tell you. BUT if we are filling our minds and hearts with all the things of this world and not allowing space for Him to speak, His voice will sound muddled and we will struggle to find the true and clear direction that we all long for.
Time with God is not always just about us. It is not just about seeking ourselves in the pages of His word but about finding God.
When we set aside our agendas, schedules, desires, dreams and goals, to-do lists and digital distractions and just simply focus on Jesus things become more clear.
Spending time in His presence is the antidote for a crazed world full of distraction.
I was in the place at the beginning of this year. I was overcome by distraction while simultaneously seeking the Lord for direction in my life.
I prayed for direction in looking for a job but then spent an unhealthy amount of time clicking on Instagram ads promising easy income. Not giving time and space for God to move
I spent time reading the Bible but then would instantly turn to the google search bar to find job openings.
These things are not wrong in and of themselves but I was seeking what I needed in my own power. I was trying to take control and manifest what I thought was the best path for me. I wanted all the things of the world AND God.
Then I hit a wall. Distracted, overwhelmed, discouraged and ready to give up.
I started to recognize where most of my energy was going and I decided to make a change.
We attend a Foursquare Church and every year they do a 21 Day Prayer and Fasting as a church community. I ordered the book, decided to give up sugar for 21 days and started seeking the Lord more.
After two days I felt in my spirit that I needed to fast social media for 21 days. This is not easy for me as I utilize it often to help promote my upcoming book. I had heard from one of my mentors that being silent on social media is the “kiss of death”. I believe this to be true but at this point in my journey my soul health was more important that the promotion of my book so I surrendered my social media presence, created a post explaining my short absence and turned off notifications.
The results have been astounding.
In just a few short days I have found more mental space to allow God in. My morning quiet times don't begin with a useless scroll through social media but with sincere and honest presence with Jesus. I have noticed my mental clarity improve and have stopped looking for what I think is best for me. I have surrendered the job hunt and the income that I think we need, when God has always provided no matter what.
This quiet space in my life gives me a clearer vision for prayer. When I sit alone, I can fight against distraction easier, although not easy.
It takes a mind training to allow yourself to sit still but when we practice silence, limit distraction and sit in a posture of listening to the voice of God, heaven can break through more easily.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” Matthew 16:24
To dig deeper this podcast is a brilliant message on the beautiful act of fasting and prayer.
Ponder and Pray
*Where is my attention pulled to when I first wake up?
*Do I intentionally create space to pray and hear from God? How can I make that happen?
*Ask the Lord to show you what you could set aside or fast for a short time to create that space.
*Ask God to speak to you in those quiet moments.