Connecting with God

Do you ever feel like your attempt at connecting with God is one-sided?

I sure do. Here is a typical morning for me: I wake up early, stumble out of bed and slip on my shoes for my morning workout. When I return, I grab a cup of coffee–extra hot–pick up my Bible and notebook and begin my quiet time. The thing is, I spend the bulk of my quiet time anything but “quiet.” I fiddle with my phone and surf social media. I check my email and consult my calendar. I sip my coffee, “uh oh, getting tepid…” so I run in and refill it. Sip. Fiddle. Surf. Repeat.

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Even when I pray, although I begin focused on God, if He is slow to connect with me, I inevitably end up with my planner in hand, ticking through my tasks for the week.

How does this keep happening?

Sometimes I notice a plant in need of water, “Better water it now or I’ll forget . . . “ A small bird hops across the yard, “Hmm . . . Is that a sparrow or a swallow…?” A plane buzzes overhead, “ What a cute plane, I wonder where it’s headed?”

You too?

It only takes a moment of distraction or dead air to send us scurrying about the day’s business without connecting with God. It only takes a moment of distraction or dead air to send us scurrying about the day's business without connecting with God. Click To Tweet

Especially if we don’t stop, focus, and wait for Him. I know, waiting is hard. Sitting still is torment for some. But if we want to personally encounter God in our quiet time, it’s time to get serious. God is patient and He can take a lot, but He isn’t going to compete with our cell phone or squirrel-itis. God isn't going to compete with our cell phone or squirrel-itis. Click To Tweet

He’s not going to send a text, an email, or a tweet. He probably isn’t going to pull out a bullhorn or lower a scroll to get our attention, either.

Often times when God speaks, He leans in and whispers. 

Have you ever talked to someone you had a hard time hearing? Didn’t you scoot closer and focus on what they were saying? You may have even watched their lips to make out their exact words. Connecting with God requires focus, too. It takes quiet — the kind of quiet that doesn’t speak, not even in prayer.

Just listening.

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Waiting on God “until He comes.”

This doesn’t happen on the fly. “Waiting on God” is not a prayer shot out the window of our car on the way to work. It isn’t subbing our quiet time with praise music as we go about our housework.

God doesn’t show up on our terms. He shows up on His. God doesn't show up on our terms. He shows up on His Click To Tweet

“. . . it is time to seek the Lord . . . until He comes . . .” (Emphasis mine)

It is time to recapture the lost art of waiting on God to listen for His footsteps, to hear Him speak, and anchor in His heart.

In the sacred space of quiet waiting.

“. . . seek the Lord . . . until He comes.”

In the stillness — the absence of all else; people, technology. calendars, and calls.

Yes, “seek the Lord . . . until He comes.”

Until we “grasp the hem of His robe” and feel His power, love, and presence fill us. Matthew 9:20-22

“Seek the Lord until He comes.”

Wait for Him! Refuse to walk away from your time with God until He has shown up. And friends, He will. He does! And joy accompanies Him . . .

“. . . it is time to seek the Lord . . . until He comes and showers His righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12

God shows up for those who wait for Him.God shows up for those who wait for Him. Click To TweetAnd He will show up for you and me. Seek the Lord until He comes.

And joy will rain down upon you.

Have you ever tried to “wait on God”? What were the results?

Featured image courtesy of Lilian Dibbern.