Two years ago, my cell phone contract came up for an upgrade. Mark went to take care of it, being that I did not care in the least what I had. He, being a male, loved looking at the new phones with all their gizmos and gadgets. He called and asked if I would like an i-Phone. He felt it would be the best choice for me in order to meet ministry needs. “No,” was my response. “The monthly fee is much too costly, and besides, I don’t want the distraction of all the apps and things you can do with an i-Phone.” So, we decided on a Blackberry, it had internet and was sufficient to meet both the ministry and my needs.
Do you know I’ve discovered that a little two and a half by four and a half inch phone, whether labeled Blackberry or i-Phone, can be a great distraction? For two years now, I have fought the daily morning battle of the flesh having to know what emails came in during the night or what text I’d received since I laid my head on my pillow the night before. There’s just something about that “delete” button that draws me every day! I can’t stand trash, unanswered emails, or text on my phone. There could possibly be a need here for some counseling regarding an obsessive compulsive personality!
I find that there is something very satisfying about pushing “delete” and having all the trash and junk instantly removed. More than once in the quiet of the morning, the Father has whispered, “What about Me?” Dianne, my child, you are distracted with clearing your phone of all the junk and trash, but what about your life? If you will put down the phone and pick up My Word, I will clear out all the trash and junk from your life that separates you from Me. I desire my child, to speak with you this morning.” “But, Father, just one more minute, just one more text, just one more email. I’m coming. Just a minute! I’m coming, I promise, as soon as I finish this last one.” Phone rings! Time gone!
E.M. Bounds said, “God takes nothing by halves. He gives nothing by halves. We can have the whole of Him when He has the whole of us.” What I am choosing to give myself to each morning is the enemy, my flesh, and in choosing to satisfy my flesh, I am failing to feed my spirit. I am settling for having only a portion – a half- of my loving heavenly Father who desires that I have all, the whole, of Him; knowing Him in all His fullness.
Jennifer Kennedy Dean says of prayer, “The focus of your prayer time is God Himself. The purpose of your prayer time is to give God your undivided attention. The agenda for your morning prayer time is to hear God; to reaffirm His rule in your life.” That intimate early morning quiet time is not about our emails, our text messages, or incoming phone calls, but all about God Himself! “He awakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.” Isaiah 50:4
Father, how my heart desires to hear from You each morning. Cause my ears to be more sensitive to Your still quiet voice that beckons me to come and feast and dine. Help me to desire complete and full obedience to You and Your voice. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, I have authority over my flesh- over the “delete” button. Make me sensitive to the things in my life that rob me of fully focusing on You. Thank you for loving me in spite of the weaknesses of my flesh, thank you for the victory I have through You.
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6
“Call upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:12-14
dianne