Also, be sure and visit her blog today where I am guest posting for Angela as well.
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Disconnected. Sounds swell, children move, people rush, cars zoom, and I stare into space. Each of my movements are leaden and off sync. How I long for connection.
How do you connect with the world when it is running at a different pace than you?
How do you find joy when the well has run dry?
My lips stick to my teeth and my tongue feels two sizes bigger than normal. Water. I need living water that flows as a stream.
But there are bills to pay, children to take to school, activities to be done, friends to meet. Sure I pray, but my soul remains dry. My soul hungers for more. I quote a memory verse and pray more, but it is not enough.
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” Psalm 42:1
Is this what David meant? The times when my soul feels dry, my heart heavy, and my mind slow, is that when I really am thirsting for God?
God made us for connection through community. He – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – lives in perfect community. Oh that we would spend time in community with Him. Daily reading His word, praising His goodness, worshiping His attributes, and calling out to Him.
It is there in His word that He meets our need for connection. The community that we seek may be found in Him, but also in sharing with others what He is teaching us. Oh that we would realize our thirst is only quenched in Him, the Living Water.
Connection and thirst are these God designed that we may desire more of Him? Are they kind reminders that we need connection with God and water from His Spirit?
Let us pray that God helps us fill those desires with Him – His word, His Spirit, His community.
Will you join me as I:
· Read God’s word daily?
· Spend time on our knees in prayer daily (just five minutes a day)?
· Praise Him out loud daily. We can do this in song, to others as we tell them the things God is doing in our lives, as we pray, etc?
Will you join me? May these steps only increase our desire for connection to God and thirst for God. That we may live transformed lives for His glory.
What do you do when you desire connection and thirst for God?
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Angela Mackey lives in the Arkansas River Valley with her wonderfully supportive husband and three amazing children. She is passionate about teaching women to renew their minds through God’s word so that they may live transformed lives. Angela is a writer, speaker, nurse, and stay-at-home mom who openly shares her struggle with infertility. She loves college basketball (especially the Kansas Jayhawks), reading, writing, and laughing at herself. You can connect with her on her blog at www.rethinkingmythinking.com. She is also on twitter www.twitter.com/Rethinkingme and on facebook at www.facebook.com/RethinkingMyThinking.
Thank you Shannon for having Angela on you blog, and thank you Angela for such a great post.
ReplyDelete"How do you connect with the world when it is running at a different pace than you?" This is the tug of war match, isn't it? But, I think your 3 suggestions at the end are great ones. When we turn our eyes to Him, our pace and our perspectives changes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, that was a treat! Angela had me baited and hooked at her first paragraph. :D Thanks Shannon!
ReplyDeleteMandi
Smile and Mama With Me
Thanks to the both of you for a great post
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your kind words. I am always amazed at how God uses words to bless others. Thank you Shannon for inviting me.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminders to slow down & take the time for the things that are most important.
ReplyDeleteThank you both. The message to slow down and listen to God is one that I need to hear often. Thank you for a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Angela, you are describing me too! I love this... "Oh that we would realize our thirst is only quenched in Him, the Living Water." Amen, oh, that we would! Thank you for this encouragement to stay in fellowship with the One who quenches even the driest soul!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you are encouraged by my words. Praying We slow down and listen to Him.
ReplyDeleteAngela, this is such a great post and one I can totally relate with. Even though I spend time with God every day in some form, it's just never enough. I'm always craving more. What I need to do is slow down in my time with Him - listen - sit silently - and soak in His presence. Not always easy when we have a million other things going on. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Rosann
Hi Shanon :) Was here and reading this post :) Thumbs up Angela :)
ReplyDeleteRosann. Yes slowing down to drink Him in fully instead of racing through our time. So true.
ReplyDeleteKenny. Thank you. I am humbled that God would use my words.
Shannon, This is such a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing your sweet friend, Angela, with us!
ReplyDeleteWhen my well is dry and I suffer from dehydration, I lock myself away from everyone and everything...study my scriptures and pray. Also, attending church every Sunday fills my cup to overflowing!
I already read scriptures daily and pray on my knees morning and night, but I love the idea of praising God aloud each day!
ReplyDeleteThank you--I'll start today!
Becky - Sounds like you are aware of those dry times and have some great plans to get your fill.
ReplyDeleteAlison - Yes praising God aloud really makes a difference. I pray it does for you as well.