Sometimes we do not need to call for another Solemn Assemble, not for another prayer meeting, nor another attempt at doing what we have already been doing. All these are good. Faithfulness is good. But at times what we need to do is change the way we live – in particular, the way we relate to God. It seems we tend to attend gatherings in the hope that simply showing up will be all that the Lord requires.
Our bodies are the temple (dwelling place) of the Holy Spirit. God has made our physical and spiritual parts to work together. The physical and the spiritual may be much more harmonized they we feel comfortable with. Most of us do not consider that when we sin we are using the dwelling place of God against Him. We tent to think in terms of ideas rather than reality. We know, sort of, that when we lie we are making a dwelling of God lie – right.
OK, maybe you have heard that life and death are in the power of the tongue. I hear that a lot. I hear people proclaim that giving verbal expression ( a bodily function) has the power of life or death. I believe that. What we do with our bodies, our minds, our emotions has a relationship upon our spirit and the Spirit of God. If I make my body kneel in prayer, fast, be silent when offended; I am using my body to do the will of the Lord in heaven.
Since our bodies are connected to the Spirit what we do with one relates to the other. I suggest to you a fast will greatly improve your ability to sense what the Spirit is doing. What he usually does in a fast is to reveal to you how much you love food and other every day comforts, like people honoring you for fasting. So I have something I would like you to try. Consider a fast, not a fast of food, but of words.
Silence has always been one of God’s spiritual disciplines. Ask anyone who is in the wilderness for 40 years alone about who they talked to. In fact ask anyone who is in the wilderness 4 days alone. If you could do that it would be great. Silence and solitude are great, but if you cannot make that happen – how about one of these expressions.
1) Fast Grumbling and complaining. I think I do better at fasting food than this. If you want to try giving your negative thoughts no expression, use self-control and be silent. When you do you may find a level of self-love arising to your awareness. You may see that you are more critical and complaining than you thought. You may see that you have a strong need or desire to fix the wrongs and repair the deceptions of others. You may also become aware of when “good judgment” has slipped into accusation, grumbling and complaining.
2) Fast long, drawn out, explanatory answers. When you do this you are fasting the expression of your opinion, the reason behind the answer and you are leaving yourself open to the judgments of others. This is a form of humility because you are, not defending yourself. Doing this may reveal to you how much pride you have in your life, in desiring to impress upon others your insight, wisdom or maturity. I personally love to impress more than be impressed.
3) As much as possible do not listen to man made sounds, this would include music. If at all possible, spend time in the park, on a hiking trail or in your backyard. Intentionally entering into this type of isolation diminishes the amount of distractions our lives are bombarded with and allows to be a rest, yet engaged with the Lord. We want to be aware of becoming overly dependent on others things, even good things to bring us into the Lord’s presence.
4) As you fast or reduce the amount of words you use, try to make your thoughts agree with your expressions. If you are not going to say it, don’t keep pondering it over in your head. This simple practice alone could help many people be free from the weight of unexpressed arguments, defenses or attempts at justification. You will come into greater peace simply by the reality of your mind having fewer issues to deal with.
Actually, I think, your mind will always “be on”. But seeking to have your mindset on things above, upon love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and the Father allows for your mind not to be in “expression” mode but “listening” mode. If you are in need of a place to practice silence, just come over and hang around me. I would love to have someone to talk to that will not talk back.
No comments:
Post a Comment