I was watching TV last night and, out of the blue, I began thinking about the goodness of the Lord. As I continued to watch TV, the goodness of the Lord continued to percolate through my heart. After a while I realized the Lord was inviting me to a quiet time with him. I’d love to tell you I got up immediately and stole away with the Lord but, I didn’t. I continued to watch however, my focus was divided; I couldn’t let go of the thought that I would be missing something really good if I didn’t respond. I’d been studying Psalm 32 for several days and the concept of seeking God while he may be found pierced my heart like a goad.
Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding-place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah 1
When I finally responded to the Lord’s calling, I was reminded of this scripture from Song of Soloman:
I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.2
My Prayer: Lord, thank you for calling me to you. Thank you for the grace to respond. Your ways are not my ways, your thoughts are not my thoughts; thank you for changing me. Thank you for awakening my heart to your invitation! Lord, you are so very good to me. Thank you for loving me and challenging my understanding of love. Please, change my heart, let me cherish and never miss an invitation for quiet time with you.