Frustration into Wisdom

Hi Michael,

I would suggest you keep your personal prayers with God to yourself unless God tells you to open your conversation with others as it it pertain to them. As Pastor Miles has said from the pulpit, a good test is if what you feel God is telling you lines up with His Word because God will never contradict himself. Or tell you to do something that is against His Word. Aligning yourself with the word of God is a Theocentric mindset.

So, should I write back to him?

No, Michael. It would do nothing for you or me. Your response should be to accept the lesson and move forward. His response has purpose for you. You are looking to other men for validation. You’ve received a loving response and a cold response. Focus on what draws you closer to me.

This pastor tells me to keep my prayers to myself. Do you have guidance on that point?

I’ve already called you to do what you’re doing. Your writing is a model – not the only model, but a valuable model – for others to experience and practice if their communion with me is lacking. This statement can be completely released from your mind. The other statements are true and have value, but you already know them.

Lord, I feel that my devotion to Bible study is lacking.

Good. Then the other value in this pastor’s response has been received.

I’ve done so much Bible study. It’s not that I feel I’m past it by any means, but this communion with you feels so much more fruitful. I have complete respect and love for your word – which I believe is one of the fruits of studying your word. It’s not only narrative and instructional, but through studying it, a person gets to experience your power, majesty, and love. I’ve seen it through the Bible, and I guess I’m just bored of my old study routine.

That’s because you need a new routine. You were taking information from someone else, which has its place. But you have reached a point where you want to discover insights for yourself, which is a wonderful thing. It’s just that you mistook the desire to discover for boredom, not realizing that there are other paths you could take that will lead to discovery. Now that we have intimate communion, your Bible study will bear fruit you never dreamed it could.

Aren’t all of the insights already discovered? Isn’t it best to learn from those that know?

I am the source, Michael. “Those that know” can mislead you. Their interpretation is their interpretation. Many times, what you’re learning from a Bible teacher is a regurgitation of others writings, that they have not themselves fully vetted, but take at face value because of their reverence and respect for the original (human) author. I am the true original author. It’s all there, but you need the key to understanding it. I am also the key. My spirit dwells in you and is eager to share Biblical insight with you. You only need to invite it.

So, what method would you have me follow?

Well, reading my word consistently would be a good start. I know you think that reading it is a waste of time, if you’re not really studying it. But you’re wrong. Reading it has spiritual value, a value you do not currently know. You look down your nose at others who surface-read the Bible, thinking to yourself that they waste their time. They are the ones that get it, Michael, not you. They are wading in my word. My word is perfect and complete, for its purpose. Currently, you’re missing out on its purpose. Part of its purpose is for you to come to me for wisdom and understanding of its passages. Part of its purpose is to tell the story of my love for you. Part of its purpose is to reveal to you who I am. You think you know these things, but you have only scratched the surface. There is so much more.

So you want me to start with consistent reading (wading). How much time would you like me to wade in your word?

Michael, you’re so focused on time. It’s not a matter of time. It’s a matter of heart. I don’t want you to put in your time. I want your heart. I want you to want to obey my call and command. I’m calling you to wade in my word. How will you respond?

I forced myself to write this because it was what was on my heart, even though as I wrote it, I was pretty sure what the response was going to be.

You think you know my response? Try it…

I brought up the notion of time again. I should be focused on where my heart is leading me. So, my heart is leading me to use my time to focus on my family – having a blast with my wife and kids, making memories, etc – and any downtime should be used for Bible study and journaling and getting my old posts into the journal.

Michael, you already have a feeling what I’m going to say. What is it?

I think it’s that I used the word “should”, and that my time should be “used”. Is that the right direction?

Somewhat. What I’d like for you is for you to do everything possible to forget time. You will have some plans, but I want you to take your mind off time for the week. Then I want you to submit your mind to your heart – plain and simple. You hear my call with your heart – toward communion with me, through prayer journaling and wading in my Word. Forget time and just do what your heart leads you to do. You don’t have to “put in time”. Do not “put in time” with your family – it will end up feeling and coming across as forced. Simply be present and listen to your heart. Disengage from your mind and let it serve you rather than the other way around.

What do you mean by “let my mind serve me”?

You read Eckhart’s book – there is wisdom in those pages. This is one area that he gets right. Your mind is meant to be used, it’s a tool, it’s not you. Be your self, not your mind. Disengage your identify from your mind and just be you. Call on me as needed, and you will experience joy like never before.

Thank you Lord.