Have you ever
felt like the demands of life were screaming out at you from the minute you got
up in the morning until you dropped that night for bed? I have!
Sometimes these “said” demands even invade my dreams. Responsibilities to keep, errands to run,
things to do, events to attend, house to clean, ahhhhh…. It’s always never
ending.
I know that
just a moment in His presence can bring peace to the storms of my life,
but I get all caught up in the whirlwind of “busyness.” That’s
my Kryptonite. Once I get busy I
don’t know how to slow down or which item to cut off of my “to do” list. They all seem oh so important at the moment….
or so it seems.
Recently I
decided enough was enough. When my kids
were younger I had a “secret place” I would go to get alone with God. Sometimes it felt like it was my only
place to be with Him. Life was loud,
messy, and full of obligations with my little ones gathered around my feet each
day from morning to night.
Where was this “secret
place” you may wonder? Well… it was a
place everyone goes, but few see the golden opportunity before them as I did. Some go every other day, while others are
lucky if they visit it weekly. For me it
was a daily thing. My secret place was…
the SHOWER. That might sound silly to
some of you, but it was my only quiet place for the most part during this
season of my life.
I would steal
away moments during my boys’ naps or when my husband got home from work. The door locked so the boys couldn’t get in
and if they knocked continuously eventually my husband would pull them
away. It was my sanctuary… my
time to wash away the worries of that day and focus my attention on God. I needed Him so desperately. I couldn’t do this “mom thing” without Him or
this “wife thing” and a million other things.
He was the secret source of strength that I tapped into each day.
Don’t get me
wrong, I did pray. I threw up loads of
prayers all day long as I chased after little boys and cleaned up their
messes. But, it just wasn’t the same as
that special time in my “secret place”.
There I could focus, really talk to God, sing worship songs,
THINK, ask for wisdom which I needed A LOT of and soak in His presence. It was refreshing.
My “secret place”
was my place to reconnect with God daily.
Your “secret place” might look different than mine. I know over the years my “secret place” has
changed. Some popular places I have
heard that others have used have been: in the car, on walks or runs, on their
back porch, in a special chair, or sitting in a quiet room.
The place doesn’t
matter. It’s whatever works for
you. What matters most is that you have
a “secret place” somewhere and at some time each day. We need Him desperately friends. We need His strength, peace, joy, His wisdom,
anointing, and so much more.
In this new
season of my life, I must admit I have struggled to find a new “secret
place” for me. This has made it hard for
me to have a routine and really connect with God like I want to each day. Recently I decided enough was enough. Everything around me was distracting me so I
went to my old “secret place” and poured my heart out to God. Yep, it was the shower. I needed “Spiritual Alignment”. My heart and life needed adjusted to focus
more on Him.
Have you ever
driven a car where the alignment was off?
Things just didn’t feel right. It
wasn’t a smooth ride anymore. It felt
somewhat off kilter and you didn’t know how to fix it. Alignment!
It’s an easy fix for any tire shop mechanic, but most people wait until
things get really rocky before they ever take it in to be fixed.
Sometimes, when
we don’t allow God to have first place in our hearts and lives our “Spiritual
Alignment” can get off. Things can start
to feel funny, maybe even a little rocky.
We may wonder what is wrong, but not quite know what to do. If you are feeling like you have some
alignment issues, I may have some ideas to help you out.
Colossians 3:1-2 says this…
“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with
Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t
shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of
you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the
action is. See things from his perspective.” (MSG)
Another version
says it like this…
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
(NIV)
When we take time to settle our hearts and minds on God, He
brings perspective. His perspective! Here are some things you can do as you
prepare to seek “Spiritual Alignment.”
- Set an appointment
with God
Whether it is an old spot or a new one, find a
“secret place” to meet with God. Choose
a location and time where you can give Him your complete attention.
2. Set all distractions aside
Push everything aside that might distract you
during this time. Set your heart and
attention on Him completely. Do what it
takes to keep from being distracted.
Shut off all media devices for awhile and focus on Him. Put the phone on vibrate, turn the television
off, sit in a quiet place or play some God-focused music. The point is to FOCUS completely on God and
your relationship with Him during this time.
Don’t let anything distract you!
- Pursue Him passionately
Pour your heart out to God. Share the good, bad, and the ugly. Be real with Him and when you are all done
sharing with Him, take a few moments to listen to what God might want to share
with you. When we draw close to God,
He promises to draw close to us. (James 4:8).
- Read His Word
Take time to read the Bible and allow God’s word
to speak to you. Whether it is a verse,
a paragraph or a chapter… get the Word of God inside of you. It is spiritual food for your soul. Did you know that God uses His word to speak
to us too? If you don’t know where to
start, read a Proverb a day or begin in the book of John. When we read God’s word and hide it in our
hearts, it protects us from making bad choices.
Strengthen your spiritual body today and take time to read His Word.
Psalm 119:11 says…
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin
against you.”
Take time to connect with God today. As you survey your life (the good, bad, and
ugly) allow Him to bring perspective. When
we allow God full access to our lives and permission to adjust our course things
will begin to change (and for the better).
Spiritual Alignment. Will you set
your heart and mind on Him today?
My prayer during this new season of my life has been this…
God
I give You my life. Please take complete
control. I don’t want my will, but Your
will to be done. I know You have a
purpose for my life and an amazing plan for the future. Lord, please help me to trust You with the
details.
God
I am sorry that all too often I get all wrapped up in the busyness of
life. I know they may not be all bad
things I am doing. Many of these things
are me being busy for You. But I
know you don’t care as much about me doing things for YOU, as me
spending time with YOU.
God,
please give me a fresh perspective. I
want to walk in step with you. I need You
God. I can’t do life without You. Life is hard.
Marriage is hard. Parenting is
hard. People are hurtful and
difficult. God, please help me to seek
your wisdom daily. Please saturate me in
Your presence each day, so I react in Your character. I want to reflect you well in all that I do…
and just as much at home as I do in the world.
Shine through me brightly Jesus.
God,
please help me to find a new and special “secret place”. Help me to become hungry for Your Word and
thirsty for your presence… and in this new season of my life may I experience
You in ways like I never have before. I
can’t wait to see all that You have in store for me. I love
You Jesus!
I
pray that as you pursue Him passionately, dig into His Word, and set all
distractions aside that you will meet God in mighty ways in your "secret
place"... wherever that might be.
Living
to leave a legacy,
Julie
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