I woke at 5:10 that morning, strongly impressed to spend some extra time in my Bible "seeking the face of God". I had been reading a George McDonald novel before bed and that particular phrase in a character conversation had stayed with me. Unable to fall back asleep, I grabbed my phone, my Bible, fixed a cup of coffee and headed to my quiet place. Since my devotional app is on my phone I grabbed it first. Immediately I saw notifications from Facebook and without really thinking I clicked. No sooner had I started to scroll and a thought broadsided me and stopped me mid-swipe, as strongly as if God had spoken audibly.
"I said seek MY face, not Facebook."
Okay. I have learned over the years on this faith walk to not disregard these gentle promptings of the Spirit of God. After all, walking with God is about my very real and personal relationship with Christ, or it should be. And what kind of relationship stays strong when one side doesn't listen!
I had recently noticed that on occasion, especially when in the car, my husband would be saying something to me but because I was texting, surfing, or on Facebook, it might be a moment before I even heard him. It was frustrating for him and wrong for me to make him have to repeat himself. He deserved my undivided attention. So, I began listening more determinedly, and intentionally putting my phone down when he started to say something. Wow. What had we been missing because he saw me absorbed on my phone and decided not to bother?
This morning? Here I was doing the same thing to God! I knew in my heart the prompting to rise early and spend time reading my Bible and praying, had come from Him. I was going to need what His Word would say to me today. Thankful He got my attention, I did not have to think about what I would have missed otherwise.
Two lessons learned; first, how easily we are distracted and drawn away. Just like my relationship with my husband is strongest when we are communicating, unselfishly and considerately giving each other our attention, my relationship with Christ needs my determined and intentional effort to see it flourish, staying strong and close to Him. It's too easy to just drift, only to find yourself far away from each other. Christ knows me so well, loves me so much, and as my personal Savior and Friend, desires time with me...quality time, my undivided attention, when I get to know Him better, when I am strengthened and encouraged, given the rest and peace my tumultuous soul so desperately needs in the crazy and chaotic world we live in. The 2nd lesson was the one He had for me in the first place. It was the reason He stirred me to get up and meet Him in the quiet of the morning. I would have missed out had I engaged in Facebook instead of "facetime" with my Savior, not leaving time for Him before having to plunge into my day.
The passage my devotional took me to was three short verses in 2 Kings 4: 42-43. Someone brought loaves of barley and fresh ears of corn to Elisha and the sons of the prophets. It was a small amount compared to the need, but Elisha instructed the man to prepare it for all 100 or so of them. The man was astounded to think this small gift would feed so many but did as he was instructed. Elisha's response? "for thus says the Lord, they shall eat and have some left." Somehow over the years this miracle had escaped me. I did not remember it. I was thrilled to read as if for the first time that God had so wonderfully and abundantly met this need for His children. It was a reminder of His promised provision and care for His own, at a time when I needed that reminder.
God knew I needed the reminder. And He was waiting for time with me to reassure me through His Word that He had everything under control. I just needed to "seek His face", pursue Him, be attentive to what He had to say, in one of those moments when seeing His face is all that mattered.
"You have said, 'Seek my face.' My heart says to You, 'Your face, Lord, do I seek." Psalm 27:8
Facetime anyone?
