By Kristene DiMarco
It is another Wednesday!How are you doing?It gladdens my heart that you are on the other end reading this.However,putting all these teachings into practice is more important than the ‘head’ knowledge.I pray that you receive the grace to be the doers of the words in Jesus’ name.
Let me continue with another ‘S’ today:
2) SERENITY:
It is the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled,unruffled,unstressed etc.It can describe a location or the state of one’s mind.
a)Serene location:If you really want to hear God concerning an issue bothering you,there is a need for you to withdraw to a location that is serene for a while.It takes away distractions and makes one to be focused.Jesus modelled this for us in many Bible verses:
“After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone”-Matt 14:23
“After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray”-Mark 6:46
“In those days, Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God”-Luke 6:12
Note:Jesus didn’t go to the mountains to only talk to God.He was also there to hear from God.
Real prayer is not a monologue(talking to God alone) nor uni-directional(only from you to God).It is a dialogue and it is bi-directional.
Praying in a serene environment,not necessarily mountain or hill,can facilitate hearing from God.
b)Serene mind:You do not only need to go to a serene environment,your mind needs to be calm and serene in order to hear from God.
God speaks by whispering to His children most times:You don’t hear whispers when your mind is a bedlam and a cacophony of voices.
“And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper“-1Kings 19:12
Note:Having a serene mind is not automatic.It is learnt and it comes with maturity:
“LORD, my heart is not arrogant, nor do I look haughty. I do not aspire to great things, nor concern myself with things beyond my ability”-Psalm 131:1
“Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me”-Psalm 131:2
In the first verse,the Psalmist was like a 1- month old baby that cries several times to suck.He becomes fussy if he doesn’t get breast milk on time.In verse two,he has become a changed person!He has become matured.He has been weaned from breast milk to solid food and has learnt to be patient when food is not ready.
The reason many do not hear from God is due to the fact that they have not learnt to still and calm their minds.They are too anxious about so many things at the same time like a newborn baby:
“I need to travel or else those guys won’t bring my goods”
“Oh,the school fees of my children are yet to be paid”
“Hmmmmm,the festive period is here,I am yet to get my children’s dress”
“Ohhhh this country is a mess.The government is not doing anything about the dilapidated roads”
“I need to visit my neighbor in the hospital but my car is faulty”
“The Pastor and the church members didn’t visit me when they didn’t see me on Sunday,I won’t go there again”
“Complaints,worries,grumblings,fear “
All the above things going on in someone’s mind at the same time? Such a soul won’t hear God because his mind is in disarray!He needs to still and calm his mind to be able to hear the gentle whisper of God.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus”-Philipians 4:6-7
That is a serene mind!
Do you know the difference between the man in Psalm 131:1 and Philippians 4:6 above? The former is a baby that cries,whines and becomes fussy when he needs something.The mother is not sure whether he is crying because of hunger or wet diaper that needs to be changed or because there is too much heat/cold or the baby is sick.The latter is like an 18 year old that can communicate efficiently about his needs.Calmly,he asks for his needs from his parents and he gets feedback from them:Most times they give him his desires,other times they tell him to be patient,and sometimes they decline his request.
In conclusion,serenity can be achieved by withdrawing to a location devoid of distractions once in a while to communicate with God and shutting your mind off worries and concerns.
“Do not let your heart be troubled”-John 14:1a
“Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid”-John 14:27c
“Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act”-Psalm 37:7a
“Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am God. I rule the nations. I rule the earth”-Psalm 46:10
Shalom.