The Fight of Our Lives
In normal times it can be difficult for me to quiet my soul, silence the external noise, and reach to direct my heart towards the person and presence of Jesus. It is a fight to push through the many internal and external obstacles that surround my life and actually connect and meditate on and talk with Jesus in prayer. The uncertainty, disruption, and increasing anger all work to “kick up more dust” and make it harder to “see” the Lord and engage in what He is doing.
We want to fight in this season to hear, agree with, and engage in the narrative that the Lord is speaking and leading. What is He saying? What is He doing? What is the story that He is telling the world about Himself? His storyline is unfolding right before our eyes, but the nature of the hour is such that we are listening to others, following their lead, and allowing ourselves to be directed anywhere but the depths of His heart. The business of media, dependant on our attentiveness, seeks to capture our attention and drive the narrative that they perceive that we want to “buy”. Their livelihood depends on our participation. They are skilled at utilizing a variety of means to stir the pot and then report on what happens next.
None of it reflects the primary themes of the Lord’s narrative and storyline. None of it is what He is saying or doing. It is all, ultimately, vanity and empty noise, with nothing of substance and nothing redemptive or life-giving to the Church.
Therefore, we need to engage in the fight of our lives. We need to unplug, pull our hearts and emotions away from the polarized national conversations and refuse to engage. We need to turn our attention to the only conversation that matters - who in the body of Christ is looking to lead the way and gain ground in knowing Jesus more, discerning what He is doing and saying, and calling us to attentive, humble engagement with His leadership? How can we have the “right” conversations with Jesus in the secret place, allowing Him to cleanse and renew our hearts and affections for Him? How can we grow in love for Him and tenderness towards others in an hour when love is growing cold?
This is the question of the hour, but I hear few asking it. I urge you today to give an ear to Jesus and see if He can awaken your heart in a fresh way to the urgency of intimacy with Him in an hour in which everyone is distracted with the immediate. In an hour when everyone you know is getting louder in their discontent and uncertainty, I urge you to get quieter and more connected to Jesus. In an hour in which everyone is making more noise on the outside to anyone who will listen, I urge you to go quietly inward and set your eye on the audience of One.