For the first time in a long time, I've begun reading a daily devotional book. I'll tell you about the author, Sarah Young, and you'll understand why.Sarah writes that in 1993 her relationship with God changed dramatically...
I had been writing in prayer journals for years, but that was one-way communication: I did all the talking. I knew that God communicated with me through the bible, but I yearned for more. Increasingly, I wanted to hear what God had to say to me personally on a given day.
I decided to listen to God with pen in hand, writing down whatever I believed He was saying. I felt awkward the first time I tried this, but I received a message. It was short, biblical, and appropriate. It addressed topics that were current in my life: trust, fear, and closeness to God. I responded by writing in my prayer journal.
Many of us in the Luke Ten Community have been on a similar journey. Longing to hear what God might say to us personally on a given day. Feeling awkward when we first begin. But, being aware of "spontaneous thoughts" and writing them down. Finding that they are often both biblical and appropriate.
Take a minute and, in the comments below, share what this journey has been like for you.
More from Sarah tomorrow.
John
My wife taught me an interesting tip in listening to God's voice through journaling. She writes her thoughts in pencil, and God's thoughts in pen (permanent...bold...intentional... aside my words that are fleeting, ephemeral, and unsure).
ReplyDeleteAlternately, you could take two pens - your words are black, Christ's words are red. Once you fill a whole journal in this way, you can go back and read "the red letters" which can prove to be very meaningful...
I've been putting a "P" in the margin for Papa and a "J" for John to clarify the dialogue. But, I like the pencil/pen idea better. I'm going to try that. Thanks, Mark!
ReplyDeleteA while ago I too started my journal entries with my prayers, and as I conversed with the Lord, I would continue writing ou dialog back and forth, just as Sarah Young did above. As I heard God responding back to me, I would either underline His part of the conversation with me, or put it in quotes. It's been great looking back over the dialog, and the freedom I've had to converse with My Papa in that way. I think often of Job, and how he so easily communicated everything to the Lord... his anger, frustration, confidence, hope, ... everything. I am learning more and more that type of closeness, trust, and freedom of speaking.. and listening.
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