Ahab said to Obadiah, "We must check every spring and valley to see if we can find enough grass to save at least some of my horses and mules."
(I Kings 18:5, NLT).
Christ followers around the world have observed Lent since at least 325 AD, which began yesterday and will end the Saturday before Easter, a forty day time period. Lent provides an opportunity to be drawn into community with one another around the world through intentional worship, prayer, and service for the cause of Christ.
There are so many distractions in our world that seem to separate us from perceiving the presence of God. Taking time and intentionally pulling away from intense busyness . . . to be still . . . to listen . . . and to know God creates a new perspective and clarity of what really matters.
Have you seen the difference between the lives of individuals who make it a priority to draw close to God and those who live separated from Him?
I Kings 18 is a story that contrasts the difference of living separate from God. King Ahab, lived without knowing the presence of God, focused on the urgent details of living rather than on the Source of life. But then again . . . we all have had times of being too focused on overwhelming details and responsibilities that we missed the presence, power, and peace of God.
How do we move beyond focusing on details to intentionally listening to God?
Join the community of Christ followers around the world to purposefully draw close to God in the forty day period of Lent. In the ancient days there was a renewing of the earth from the presence of sin after 40 days of rain. . . the hearts of God's Beloved were prepared to enter into the promised land after forty years of wandering . . . the Ten Commandments were given to Moses after he fasted for forty days . . . and Christ Jesus fasted and prayed in the desert during a forty-day time period before he entered public ministry.
Take time to intentionally listen in the season of Lent.
"Be silent, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world" (Psalms 46:10, NLT)
Determine to put tasks aside for a period of time every day.
Quietly wait for the presence of God to be revealed.
Know the presence of God.
Learning with to focus on God rather than live in separation,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
