In the Quiet Hour

 We wait for God in the quiet hour. Where outside noise is hushed. Where the still small voice of God prevails. We wait at His feet in submission to His authority over our lives. We wait patiently for Him to speak His counsel, commands, and comfort. We wait in worship. 

We are not in a hurry. We linger long in His presence for fresh encounters. Tarrying. Trusting for His touch. Expecting His presence. We long for more of Him. In the quiet hour we seek Him. We find Him when we seek with all our heart. The priceless experiences that happen in the quiet hour can't all be told. They are too reverent to speak about. 

Those sacred moments fill our souls to overflowing. We find joy and pleasure in His presence that nothing else on the earth can offer. He satisfies. He renews. He restores. Burdens are lifted. Peace is given. Wisdom is dispensed. Strength is summoned. Guidance is discovered. 

What results is the abundant life. Deep rootedness to endure life's storms. A light unto our path to guide and guard our steps. A selfless life of service wins out over selfishness. Joy that defies circumstances. Contentment that rules against always wanting more. A purposed life that is focused. In the end, well done good and faithful servant. All begin in the quiet hour. 

A Line in the Sand

 Do you really want to be a follower of Jesus? I'm not asking if you want to be a Christian. I'm not even asking if you want to be a church member. Do you want to be a follower of Jesus? If you say yes, and that is a big if, it will cost you. Maybe more than you are willing to pay. Many will follow Jesus to a certain point, and they draw a line in the sand saying no further. Where is your line in the sand? Where have you said thus far I will go but no more?

Following Jesus is not easy. It is hard. It will lead to hard decisions. It will cause you to reprioritize your life. It will lead you away from comfort. It will require you to trust Him. Many times the path He calls you to follow will not make sense to you or those around you. Is that your line in the sand at which point you quit following? 

Following Jesus most likely will lead into some form of suffering. Jesus suffered. Paul suffered. Amy Carmichael suffered. Adoniram Judson  suffered. Hudson Taylor suffered. So did Charles Spurgeon. Jonathan Edwards suffered for obeying Jesus as well as David Brainerd. If you are not familiar with these people, by all means look them up and learn from them. Some of these served the Savior in great suffering. Brainerd died a very young man in anguish from tuberculosis. We would never have heard of him if he had not come to Jonathan Edwards' home the last months of his life. Edwards found and published Brainerd's journals. I have read and benefitted from them in difficult times. 

Following Jesus can lead you to sacrifice. Not just financially. You may sacrifice living among your relatives, your reputation, and living the American dream. You may learn to live without certain things others consider a right to have. You may sacrifice food when called to fast and sleep when called to pray. Following Jesus will not always lead to prosperity. He can lead you into poverty. 

Following Jesus can lead you to a broken heart as you see and feel what He sees and feels for lost humanity. Others may criticize and revile you. Some will reject you and spread false rumors about you. Following Him may require you not to defend yourself, but to endure injustices silently. This is the example Jesus set for us going to the cross. 

Following Jesus can also lead you down a path of shattered dreams. This is painful. Some never recover. Those shattered dreams and high hopes can stagger a person to their knees. It may appear God failed some followers. It is only an appearance. The truth is He is faithful, but that faithfulness does not mean all our dreams will come true. We are on His plans. We follow His will. He does not follow us, nor is He obligated to bless all our fanciful desires. 

Where do you draw your line in the sand with the Lord? Where have you stiffened your neck, bowed your back and resisted Him and His leadership? Where have your heels dug in refusing to budge like a stubborn mule? Jesus wants and demands our obedience. It is time to step over and past the line in the sand to follow the Lord wherever He leads.