Luann Prater
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31 (NIV)
I was on my way to work when an ambulance raced past me. The road was a two lane highway, so it startled me to see it blow by. Soon I heard several sirens and saw the brake lights tapping on the car in front of me. A sheriff was at the crossroads ahead detouring everyone into the country. He told us the road would be shut down for quite some time because of the terrible wreck ahead. My stomach knotted.
Later that morning, the phone rang; my colleague answered and said, “No! Don’t tell me that!” Norma was traveling with a group of teenagers from her church on their way to camp when a driver fell asleep, crossed the center line and hit them head on. Norma didn’t make it. Everyone said she was a fine Christian woman and only 60 years old. The papers said she had just returned from a mission trip with the teens three weeks earlier and was always ready to help those in need.
That night I couldn’t stop thinking about Norma. I didn’t know her, but her life made a final impact on mine. I wonder how she spent her last morning? People that barely knew her gave witness that she was a godly lady. So how did they know that? In Exodus 34:29 the Bible gives us a clue. It reads: “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.”
Norma must have spent quiet time with the Lord because she was radiant with God’s love. It is not something you can fake. It is not something you can imitate. There is only one way to illuminate God to others, spend time with him. That doesn’t mean feverishly working on programs at church, or feeding the poor, or volunteering for one more project. All of those things are necessary and God uses them as tools to shape and mold us, but before we can give his love to others…we must get alone with God.
Sometimes it is hard to get away from the noise and the clutter of everyday life. We mean to make time, but it seems the clock won’t cooperate. Like the key verse says, often we don’t even take the time to eat. Can you find a quiet place: In the waiting room at a doctor’s office? Stopped in a traffic jam? In the morning before anyone else is up? On a plane? Taking a walk? Watching your children play? On a coffee break? Turning off the TV? James 4:8 tells us, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Last year we started a new tradition. We gave everyone in our family the same devotional book. On any given day we know that our family may be reading the same passage from God. There is something unifying about that. This year I plan to give out P31’s new devotional book.
There is no doubt about it…Norma radiated God’s love to others because she spent time with Him. The Great Healer has written a prescription for your hurried life and weary soul: Quiet time with Him, everyday.
Dear Lord, you know the pace we keep. Teach us to utilize unsuspecting moments in quiet time with you. Give us the desire to come near to you. May our lives reflect your radiance. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
God’s Purpose for Every Woman, Lysa TerKeurst and Rachel Olsen, General Editors
Do you know Him?
P31 Woman Magazine
Application Steps:
Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier and GET UP! Read a passage and talk to the Lord before your hectic life begins.
Reflections:
What robs your time?
How can you find quiet moments throughout your day?
Who can hold you accountable in this walk of quiet time?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 10:22, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…” (NIV)
Matthew 4:4, “Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (NIV)
Mark 4:34, “But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.” (NIV)
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31 (NIV)
I was on my way to work when an ambulance raced past me. The road was a two lane highway, so it startled me to see it blow by. Soon I heard several sirens and saw the brake lights tapping on the car in front of me. A sheriff was at the crossroads ahead detouring everyone into the country. He told us the road would be shut down for quite some time because of the terrible wreck ahead. My stomach knotted.
Later that morning, the phone rang; my colleague answered and said, “No! Don’t tell me that!” Norma was traveling with a group of teenagers from her church on their way to camp when a driver fell asleep, crossed the center line and hit them head on. Norma didn’t make it. Everyone said she was a fine Christian woman and only 60 years old. The papers said she had just returned from a mission trip with the teens three weeks earlier and was always ready to help those in need.
That night I couldn’t stop thinking about Norma. I didn’t know her, but her life made a final impact on mine. I wonder how she spent her last morning? People that barely knew her gave witness that she was a godly lady. So how did they know that? In Exodus 34:29 the Bible gives us a clue. It reads: “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.”
Norma must have spent quiet time with the Lord because she was radiant with God’s love. It is not something you can fake. It is not something you can imitate. There is only one way to illuminate God to others, spend time with him. That doesn’t mean feverishly working on programs at church, or feeding the poor, or volunteering for one more project. All of those things are necessary and God uses them as tools to shape and mold us, but before we can give his love to others…we must get alone with God.
Sometimes it is hard to get away from the noise and the clutter of everyday life. We mean to make time, but it seems the clock won’t cooperate. Like the key verse says, often we don’t even take the time to eat. Can you find a quiet place: In the waiting room at a doctor’s office? Stopped in a traffic jam? In the morning before anyone else is up? On a plane? Taking a walk? Watching your children play? On a coffee break? Turning off the TV? James 4:8 tells us, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Last year we started a new tradition. We gave everyone in our family the same devotional book. On any given day we know that our family may be reading the same passage from God. There is something unifying about that. This year I plan to give out P31’s new devotional book.
There is no doubt about it…Norma radiated God’s love to others because she spent time with Him. The Great Healer has written a prescription for your hurried life and weary soul: Quiet time with Him, everyday.
Dear Lord, you know the pace we keep. Teach us to utilize unsuspecting moments in quiet time with you. Give us the desire to come near to you. May our lives reflect your radiance. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
God’s Purpose for Every Woman, Lysa TerKeurst and Rachel Olsen, General Editors
Do you know Him?
P31 Woman Magazine
Application Steps:
Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier and GET UP! Read a passage and talk to the Lord before your hectic life begins.
Reflections:
What robs your time?
How can you find quiet moments throughout your day?
Who can hold you accountable in this walk of quiet time?
Power Verses:
Hebrews 10:22, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…” (NIV)
Matthew 4:4, “Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (NIV)
Mark 4:34, “But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.” (NIV)
Labels: Relationships, Serving, Spiritual Growth, Time with God
4 Comments:
This is such a beautiful devotion! Recently, a beloved church member passed away after a long battle with cancer. On the Sunday after he passed, at the end of service, people began to stand up and tell stories of this man's kindness and dedication to the Lord. It made a huge impact on me too! He had such an amazing testimony. This man was not only loved, but he loved! I remember thinking how awesome it was that even though our Brother has gone home, through our memories of him, God continues to use him! Our testimonies live on even when we're no longer on Earth to do His work. So, yes, it is definitely important to read and study God's word, and to spend time with Him so the His light and love can be radiated through us both while we are here and when we are gone.
i've been inspired by the proverbs 31 ministries and created my daily journal. i will continue to read here everyday :) and prepare writers of Proverbs 31 ministries as i'm here always to learn from you all! lol
thank you! God bless
Quiet Time, is such a small amount of time, yet so easily pushed to last place. I know for me it really sets the tone of my day. I find myself short tempered with y kids, rushed and harried when I don't take the time I need to be in God's Word. I originally set a time of 7:00 and now with a daughter ins chool, I need to make that earlier. My goal is to get up at 6:00 and run, and then do a devotional afterward before my kids get up, but that is not quite so easily attainable for a leeper like me. I am going to work towards that knowing that if I do it, I will be blessed in areas like losing weight which I really want and being a better mom and wife.
Dear God,
I want my face to radiate your glory like you talk about with Moses. Forgive me for my dishonesty about the parking. That was wrong and I should have been honest about it. Forgive me for my short temper with Ben, I wasn't patient or calm which I know just exacerbated the situation. I want my life to reflect your radiance. Speak to me and let me hear your voice. Help me take time to hear you.
*Get a devotional or "Most. . . and have it readily available.
*To run and have quiet time
*Don't give away down time utilize all time.
* get into bed early enough so as to not be cranky.
Amen
I learned how to have a Quiet Time from two very important people in my life. Dr. Charles Stanley and Catherine Martin. Dr. Stanley taught me how to keep a prayer journal and Catherine Martin taught how to have a Quiet Time each day. If you are looking for a comprehensive tool to use in your Quiet Time, let me suggest the Quiet Time Notebook, by Quiet Time Ministries, Palm Desert California. Catherine Martin is the author of the notebook. Get it and use it. I promise you, you will not be disappointed. www.quiettime.org
Post a Comment
Home