The father’s passion for our current identity is the key that unlocks our present circumstances. What is He developing in our identity and how will it impact on our personality? As we allow that thought to be cultivated in us, the situation we are currently in can begin to serve the purposes of God. As we change, resources can flow to the upgrade of our identity.
Paying attention to the Holy Spirit is most vital. Wisdom sees beyond obstructions and recognizes opportunities in the crisis. Wisdom is developed in the secret place of worship and deep thought. Meditation relies on a quiet spirit of reflection. When we meditate, we behold the mirror image of Christ within and ourselves in him. In the place of internal rest, we patiently wait for the Lord. We overcome everything negative by focusing on who God is for us.
A calm spirit opens the door to presence. Stillness in our hearts is the key to the practice of really listening. Servants of old called it attending. They were attendants of the king or queen and had a chamber next to their living rooms in the castle.
A king would have a particular bell for each specific servant. Those attending would listen for the sound of their own bell. They were trained to discern the sound of the Lord, their King. They could distinguish the particular sound that would summon them into his presence. They could pick out their own sound above all others, just like a mother knows the sound of their own baby in a nursery full of crying children.
Often in times of corporate worship I hear the Lord say, listen to this. He will isolate one instrument in the band or one voice in the choir and bring that sound into the foreground. I can hear and feel his enjoyment in that person playing or singing. He is attending and rejoicing. He can discern the sound of our heart among all others. He listens for us. We listen for him.
In the business of life, create a clearing in the woods. A place to feel, think, relax, see clearly and relate to God. It’s your own secret place. It’s the place of alignment. It’s the gateway into presence. The wardrobe room into our Narnia.
We loose so much focus when we just run through the day. We skim the surface of all God’s possibilities. Life has a feeling attached to it! It is made-up of small movements that provide us with insights, experiences and opportunities. Take a moment to enjoy it! We learn peace through such times of true enjoyment. Pleasure in God is always the source of revelation.
When we attend God, we learn to wait on Him joyfully. We are present for him. We cultivate the ground of worship as we minister to him. Acts 13: 2, as they minister to the Lord, the Holy Spirit spoke.
When we attend, we discern his voice above all the sounds. It moves us, excites us and draws us into a more full encounter in his presence. In this place it is the easiest thing in the world to hear his voice.
Creating a clearing in the woods is initially hard work. Cultivating a place of rest therefore should be done joyfully. Be delighted in the process of creating room in your heart and your day just to sit and listen. You don’t have to hear anything. That’s the point. We are practicing stillness. We clear away all other sounds. We mute the world around us. We relax and allow our hearts to go out to him. Adoration is best done silently. Minister to His heart in quiet gratitude.
As that inner space fills up with peace, His still, small voice comes into the foreground. It has a musical quality, like the laughter of a small child at play. It feels like a breath of wind. Like cool water. Let it flow over you, settle your heart.
His voice initially comes to soothe our heart. He prepares us to hear His voice. In times of trouble and warfare we will be glad that we can step back into our spirit and feel the soothing sound of peace. Practice being calm with delight.