I want to talk about being “checked out” today. By that, I don’t mean the check-out line at Walmart. And I’m not inferring how boy checks out girl, or girl checks out boy, or girl checks out other girl’s shoes. Actually, if truth be known, we are always mentally “checking out” everyone we come in contact with every day. None of that.
Think about this. Was there ever a time when you were present in body in a classroom but absent in brain? Of course! We’ve all had those moments! What about present in church, physically sitting on a pew or chair, but miles away in thought or dreams. Be honest.
Where am I going with this? Here it is. More important than being physically present when I read the Bible, can God put a “P” for present beside my brain, heart, and spirit when I open His Book?
So how should I approach God’s Word? Empty. If I really desire to hear and learn more about God, His character, who He is, who I am, and what He wants me to do, I must approach Him empty of self. I can be so full of me that there is no more room for Him! This is not a good place to be for it will stifle my spiritual growth.
What’s the answer? Get rid of the mental and spiritual junk. Do this exercise with me. Stand up. Place an imaginary empty box on the floor beside you. Remove all the unwanted space hogs from your everything but physical self, such as preconceived beliefs, judgments, conclusions, and let’s save the worst for last—disobedience and sin. Put an imaginary lid on that box. Now kick it into oblivion!
That done, you and I are now ready to sit at Jesus’ feet, look into His face, and receive His love and precious truth for our lives. We sit quietly, repentant, humbled, and needy. We can hear Him clearly now because the clutter is gone. We are intently focused on Him. We learn and grow in our walk with Jesus.
My prayer: “Show me, Lord, what I don’t see and teach me what I don’t know.”
“But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults” (Psalm 19:12).
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law” (Psalm 119:18).
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground” (Psalm 143:10).