Can you unplug from life for a while? All the technology we have today seems to prevent us from getting away and alone where it is quiet or we feel compelled to 'stay connected' less someone can not find us for 5 minutes. Oh horrors! I love the commercial on TV where a group of men are out on a hiking trip or outdoor trip of some sort and they intentionally keep driving deeper into the wilderness until they lose their cell phone signal. Now granted many people have a job that requires them to stay connected. A doctor for instance. In the good old days the Doctor was the only person who wore a pager that I can think of. Now it seems our generation has been made to believe we have to be able to be reached at all times. What will happen if you can not be reached? Or what if I miss a call? Maybe they will call back?
The point is we need to be able to get alone and sit quietly if we ever expect to hear the still small voice of God. This includes turning off even your Christian radio station in your car to have perfect silence. Your brain can not just keep all the noise clutter and not want to just scream sometimes. This is why I recommend when you are able,to do a DAWG Day,which stands for Day Alone With God. "Oh that is nice for you but I work 12 hour days weeks on end. How I am expected to squeeze in time alone with God?" Granted some out there will need to be a little creative on this one but if your cell phone is on your hip like a medical life saving device and you can not get away from it you may be suffering a slight bit of electronic gadget addiction. It is a real thing. This day does not have to be a whole day but can be as little as three hours. I did one yesterday out in a nearby state park. It is a time for prayer and reading your Bible and reflection without the clutter of the world's noise all around you.
Children today need to be taught to purposely sit and learn how to be still. Parents there is your challenge. Take those children out in nature and listen to birds without the phone attached to your belt loop. Take it for safety but turn it off til you need it. A novel idea isn't it? Phones can be rude too when you talk to one person when you are with another person or carry on a conversation while a clerk tries to wait on you. Cell phones are extremely rude in movie theaters and at plays and concerts. Be polite. Have some courtesy.
Basically attempt in 2012 to start this year unplugging a little bit and see if you do not feel more calm and relaxed. It will be hard since our society is so geared up to laptops, phones, notebooks and all the other gadgets. But try it. Try to sit at Jesus feet and hear from Him. Let the phone ring. It is okay. You can call back.
How will you ever get to know Jesus and be still with Him if you do not make it intentional? The scriptures said that Jesus went away to a quiet place to pray ( See Mark 1:35).Maybe this was much more easy in His day with no electricity running everything. But I think if he had an electronic device He would not carry it all the time. Sort of comical to think of Jesus with a Smartphone huh?
John 14:27 says "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Do you want His perfect peace? You can achieve it. Psalm 46:10 says "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Isaiah 26:3 tells us "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Is your mind on Christ? Try getting it there today. Start your day with the quietness of a home without noise in the background and take a moment to pray and read a bit of God's word. There is no set requirement for how much to read. Start today with the book of John and read it each day and see if your life isn't changed. Or at work on your lunch break get outside to a bench or just take a short walk. If it is cold where you live do not use that as an excuse but bundle up and get going.
I will leave you with one final verse and it is Philippians 4:7 and it reads "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
PRAYER: Lord I want to hear your voice. I want to know you better. I need your help to unplug from the electronic world I am caught up in. Give me the ability to not always think I have to be on the phone or computer. Help me Lord to learn to sit at your feet with a non electronic copy of the Holy Bible. In Jesus Name. Amen
Click on link to enjoy yet another worship song by Sonic Flood.
http://youtu.be/JekX4mLQ56M
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