From Craig:
We had some pretty good discussions at life group this evening, and amongst them was the idea of how you actually get some spiritual benefit from a daily quiet time - if you have one. For some folk it is easy to sit down and empty your mind and wait for God to speak to you. For me personally, that is no good at all. I sit down and, despite good intentions, either (a) my mind is immediately filled with loads of other stuff like; when is the next meeting, what am I having for lunch, did I leave the iron on etc (b) the phone goes or (c) I fall asleep. For me I need something to concentrate on to keep God front and centre. And just reading the bible at random doesn't work either because unless it is a really interesting bit my attention span is about 30 seconds and then either (a) my mind is immediately filled with loads of other stuff…….etc!
I recalled the following piece by Max Lucado which some time ago I used as my starting point each day. I read it for months and still found inspiration from it. Having remembered this and dug it out, it seems fresh again - perhaps you might find it useful and thought provoking. For me, it only works before the computer is switched on, or the phone goes for the first time - after that it is too late….
"EACH DAY:
It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. the day is coming. In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.
For the next 12 hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose….
I CHOOSE LOVE….
No occasion justifies hatred: no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I CHOOSE JOY….
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical…the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I CHOOSE PEACE….
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
I CHOOSE PATIENCE….
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I CHOOSE KINDNESS….
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
I CHOOSE GOODNESS….
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.
I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS….
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.
I CHOOSE GENTLENESS….
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.
I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL….
I am a spiritual being…. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek his grace. And then , when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.
For the record - I normally find myself in the 'seeking grace' bracket. I'm sure you guys will be more successful than I.
God bless y'all, and hope to see you soon. (By the way - the Daniel Plan is done!)
Craig
