“Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him.” -Hudson Taylor
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Lk. 5:16)
I think the word “often” is there for a reason.
Catholic theologian and mystic Thomas Merton writes, “My life is a listening, His is a speaking. My salvation is to hear and respond.” What a unique and fantastic approach to salvation and communication.
For Merton, the goal of life is to listen to God and then act. Not just in his communication with God. His goal in life! Listen then act.
Just as Jesus did, we ought to listen to God and then launch into his mission, wherever that takes us. An yet, even after we’ve jumped into the mission we ought to pray more, we ought to pray often just as Jesus did for God is moving.
We make millions of decisions each day. (You’re making one right now by continuing to read this!) How many of them do you ask God to be a part of?
Listen then act. It will change everything. (Sounds like Jesus doesn’t it…)
Phil