There is chorus we used to sing in primary school whereby we quoted the words of Jesus to His disciples.
I will make you fishers of men,
fishers of men,
fishers of men.
I will make you fishers of men,
If you follow me.
The second verse was all about taking hold of the new life Jesus has given. It goes like this:
Read your bible, pray every day,
pray every day,
pray every day.
Read your bible, pray every day,
If you want to live.
A wee while ago some of you lovely readers took up the challenge of reading the bible in 90 days. This was OK but it seemed a little unsatisfactory. Reading is good but it can't be reading for reading's sake. The reading is only useful if it is a part of our conversation with God. This conversation is two way; we talk and God listens (what a ludicrous yet glorious thought that is) and God talks and we listen.
One way, and the clearest way, God talks to us is through the bible. It's important we read it to learn to discern God's way and God's will. It is not the only way God communicates with His people though. The Holy Spirit sits in the mind and soul of the christian and steers their thoughts in a God-honouring direction. He helps us to know what to do, how to act, what to say in those situations in which the Bible does not spell it out for us step-by-step. He develops in us a Godly instinct.
We need to listen to the Spirit, listen to what he has to say to us. But how do we do this?
Silence.
Christians love to talk about 'quiet-time'. That time of the day set apart for reading the bible and praying. Into this time we need to place some silence. A time to fill our minds with thoughts of God, to listen to what He has to say to us. How long you spend in silence is obviously up to you, maybe 15 mins would be an easy start.
This may sound a little spooky to you, a little monk-ish maybe. I don't care. We cannot have a relationship with someone we don't listen too, you wouldn't treat your friends or family that way (I hope).
Like all things though, it will take a bit of practice, initially it may feel a little silly but persevere, the reward of discerning the will of God, thinking how He thinks, will be well worth it.
How, though, do we know the thoughts we have are God's thoughts and not just our own? Well, before the silence, we ask God to speak to us and ask Him to enable us to listen. Afterwards we ensure that the thoughts we have are in line with the Bible's teaching for God will not contradict Himself.
'Be still, and know that I am God'
Psalm 46:10
'Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.'
Galatians 5:24-26
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