Matthew 6:6
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
It always amazes me when God gives me something that I truly need; I sometimes don’t see God’s hand in it at the time and I resist and I complain.
I still haven’t gotten use to all of this social distancing. Indeed we have had our lives regulated to a much slower pace. Previously we were always on the go, always in a hustle to get things done. Some of us are still going to work, some working from home; to me things seem less busy.
This new empty time in our lives cries out to be filled. We as humans want our bellies full, our bank accounts full, and our attention spans full. We complain when we have too much to do, and we complain that people are crowding us. Now we complain that we are experiencing boredom and that we are lonely.
How are we to fill this new vacuum that has been created in our lives and with what do we fill it with?
The above verse in Matthew chapter 6, Christ encourages the true believers to seek solitude with God. I think solitude with God helps us focus our attention on what matters most. Prayer has a public nature where we are praying as a group and for one another. Prayer also has a private and personal nature. I believe it is this personal prayer time that builds our relationship with our Loving God.
Solitude is not solitary confinement. I think we should take advantage of this time of solitude and use it as a restful break from all of the world. Here are some ideas on how to use your time.
Use some of this downtime to quietly sit at the Lords feet and hear Him speak to your hearts. Start writing down the special things God reveals to you during your solitude with Him. Do that personal bible study you have always wanted to do. Examine your life and make a list of the things you wish to do for the Lord once we come through all of this. Contact your friends and family and ask them if they need special prayer. Make a list of your own prayer needs and bring them to the Lord.
I do not believe things happen just by accident. I believe God is using this moment to catch our attention; He has paused much of the world around us and He has invited us to abide in the secret place of the Most High.
Enjoy your time with the Lord.
May our Loving Father embrace you and greatly bless you this week.
Keep the fires burning
Pastor Michael
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