being still

tonight we talked about how we live in a confusing world. a world that sends us mixed messages all the time. sometimes we get told that it doesn't matter how look and than what we see from celebrities is that outward appearance is all that matters - how thin you are, what you wear, etc. it is a very confusing challening time to be living and there is a lot to sort out. there are all sorts of messages out there. it is hard to hear god's voice through all the confusion - so how to we do it?

we also talked about how there are a lot of things we allow to drown out god's voice. you mentioned friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, family, school, sports. we always think we have to be busy. places to go, people to see.

we talked about elijah. he saw god do amazing things (you can read about them in 1 Kings 17 & 18), but he was threatened by jezebel. she was angry with him and wanted him dead. even though he saw god do huge things, he was afraid of her, so he ran. he took off and hid. he wanted god to kill him... talk about being depressed. he felt alone. he wanted to hear from god.

while he was away in hiding, some things happened. there was a strong wind, an earthquake and a fire, but god wasn't in any of them. then there was a small breeze - god was in that. that can be a big lesson to learn. a lot of times we are looking to for god to get our attention with something big. maybe we think we will find it easy to listen if he decided to show up with a megaphone and just told us what to do. i think that's what elijah was looking for, but god wanted him to speak quietly, in a whisper. we need to do the same thing. the first part of the bible verse i put on the blog a couple days ago says, "be still and know that i am god." does that mean you have to sit in one place and not move, waiting for god to speak to you? probably not, but it does mean you should try to quiet your mind.

my challenge for this week is to take 10 minutes. maybe when you get up, maybe when you go to bed. get away from your cell phone, your ipod, your computer or games. close your bedroom door and don't let anyone distract you. put down your books and just take some time to talk with god. take some of that time to listen. one way you can listen is reading the bible. i believe god will speak to you. possibly there's a bible verse or something that comes to your mind or maybe someone says something to you. it could be anything, but god will speak if you are ready to listen and seeking him.

if you are willing, share your experience as the week goes on. are you taking the time? what are you doing to listen? are you able to "be still" or does your mind race like crazy?