Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Dealing with Burnout
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Let the Praises Ring by Lincoln Brewster; No Not One by Christy Nockels; Love Came Down by Ben Cantelon; Healer by Kari Jobe.
Read: Psalm 46:10, Psalm 81:11-14; Luke 2:28-30
Think: How do I know God is speaking to me? Simple question right. While we sometimes might wish for a big megaphone in the sky blaring directly in our ears, my experience is God’s way of transmitting his message is much more subtle, much deeper, and much more effective than a broadcast from the skies.
I remember Pastor Ben this past weekend asked God to speak to us between and above the words within his sermon. I loved the image this provided. A God that can take our words and transform them by injecting them with His wisdom, His timing, and His love. I also love the image of asking for and expecting God’s supernatural help, acknowledging His authority, and His ability to overcome our limitations. So if God is capable of speaking between and above Pastor Ben’s words this weekend…..how do you hear Him?
In the words of the poet and monk Thomas Merton, "Silence is the first language of God; all else is a poor translation." There is also a current song popular on Christian radio which says something to the effect that “I am so busy talking, I can’t hear you speaking to me” (my paraphrase, but you get the point). This song has touched me several times while driving because it is so clear that I often dominate my conversation’s with God, leaving little room for Him to speak into my life. When we start to turn off our constant dialog, God’s transmission to our hearts can become much clearer. And even despite my dialog He has managed to speak to my heart often.
So silence is a good start!! Secondly is the peace offered by the Lord. Nothing else can provide you the peace you desire in your heart, than the Lord Himself. He will grant you a peace that no one else can deliver. It is often written about, but it is worth repeating, that God speaks to us in a still, small voice. That quiet voice that is not audible to others, but clearly audible to each of us individually. I heard a testimony this week from a man who said he heard that still, small voice speak to him and say “this is between you and me”, he paused and looked around and realized that no one present was speaking to him, and it was repeated “this is between you and me”; he stepped forward that day and turned his life over to the author of that still small voice, Jesus Christ, and found the peace he was searching for.
Do: Take time today to be quiet, be still. Look and listen for God in your life. Look for His hand in yours and others lives. Acknowledge Him, Thank Him, Praise Him.
Pray: Father I am so thankful that you do speak to me. I am thankful that you speak in gentle truthful ways. I am thankful that you provide to each of us a spirit of truth. Help me to turn off the noise in my life so I can hear your beautiful melody. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.
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