This weekend I served at a conference with Revelation Wellness. It was a weekend jam packed with Jesus, fitness, energy, rest, dancing, crying, praying, worship, silence, singing and Scripture.
I know, right? It was AMAZING.
One thing I LOVE about the Lord is how, in the midst of so many things going on around us, He can whisper a living Word into the corners of our heart – a word JUST FOR US. A message not from the stage but from His Spirit.
Still. Small. And specific. Just for you.
And that happened to me on Friday.
Alisa’s message was full of POWER. FIRE actually. She taught in Spirit and in Truth. I loved it and took several notes.
But God knew that I came into that space having been SO distracted in my one-on-one time with Him.
Seriously, my quiet times have been so “mid” (as my boys say).
Last year, I read through the entire Bible and had a daily plan. It was helpful and directive. This year, I am leading a small group of women through John Mark Comer’s curriculum, Practicing The Way (fantastic – I encourage you to check it out).
But MY time in the morning…. my personal prayer life, my personal time in the Word, my personal time with God… was just suffering.
I felt tossed to and fro by the internet and my calendar. I found myself writing menus on the refrigerator and folding blankets in baskets instead of folding my hands in prayer.
And I was SO frustrated with myself. SO frustrated by how QUICKLY I would pick up my phone or piddle with to-dos.
God knew all of this Friday night as I sat on my yoga mat taking notes at this conference. And He spoke – a separate message – to my attentive heart.
“It’s all a counterfeit, Becky. All the distractions. They are counterfeit for what I have for you. The distractions – they are thorns. Luke 8…they are thorns. They choke our time together so you won’t mature.”
His voice as a clear as day.
I wrote these words immediately, “Lord, I heard clearly from you that all my distractions are just counterfeits for the richness and satisfaction I find in you.”
Arguably the most important note I wrote all weekend.
Look at Luke 8:14 with me, “And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”
Do you see the threat here? Our adversary, the devil, would love NOTHING MORE than for us to stay right where we are. No more growth. No more passion. No movement.
Just spiritually static. And oh so “mid”.
Well I am calling his bluff today and I encourage you to do the same.
So the next few posts will be my unpacking this with the Lord and how I plan to overcome the thorns.
I’d love for you to check back in.
In the meantime, reflect on this for yourself: Do you relate to the distraction? Read Luke 8:4-15 and see if the Lord speaks His own private message to you. xoxo
Becky Crenshaw 