Oh, the joys of summertime! We welcome longer days, sweet vacations, lazy pool days, and cookouts with friends and family. It’s a time when our schedules become less rigid, sleeping in becomes a thing again (well, at least for the kids!), and warm sunshine kisses our faces.
Summer’s less-structured time, unfortunately, often pairs with less time spent with the Lord. In the YadaFactor course, we discuss competing voices that clamor for our attention and distract us from hearing God. A competing voice is anything that interferes with us getting to the Bible each day.
While summer has many glorious moments, we must fight to listen fiercely to the voice of God—intentionally and daily.
JESUS SHOWS US HOW
Jesus knew about distractions. In Mark 1:35-37, Jesus’ friends hunted until they found him, and they told him, “Everyone is looking for you!” Whew! That’s a lot of pressure. Everyone wanted something from Jesus, and they wanted it now.
But where was Jesus?
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Mark 1:35-37
Jesus could have filled his time with many good opportunities, but he knew what was most important. He rose early in the morning—so early it was still dark outside. He went somewhere quiet to be alone and talked to his Father. Jesus was so intimate with his Father that nothing could distract him from getting alone with him. He will go to the people and accomplish many wonderful things. But not first. First, he gets alone with his Father.
Jesus set a beautiful example for us.
The most influential voice in your life is the one you listen to first and most.
- Who do you listen to first thing in the morning?
- Where do you go when you have a problem or feel overwhelmed?
- Who or what directs your steps each day?
- How do you decide what you will and will not do with your time?
- Where do your thoughts dwell the longest?
REORDER VERTICALLY
Don’t let the carefree days of summer turn into fewer moments with God and his Word. Summer is the perfect time to reorder your life vertically.
No matter how seemingly good your sunny summer days may be, nothing is better or more important than getting close enough to Jesus that you sense the warmth of his love and hear what he is saying to you. That is the power of God at work in you.
Find a still moment to open your Bible and journal each day. Ask God, “What do you want to say to me today?” and listen. As your summer days progress, whether you have your toes in the sand, you’re sitting by a crystal-clear pool, or you’re simply performing mundane tasks, may it ALL point to God, and may you know (Yada) him deeper.
Desiring to learn more about listening to the Lord through the “Read It, Write It, Share It” process of YadaFactor? Visit our website and join our newsletter to be the first to know when our next session of free classes opens for registration.
Written by Julie Garner, YadaFactor Coach
