Here's how I found out how to patiently wait for God's downloads.
I sat at my desk one morning staring at the blue computer screen watching the twirling dots as my computer downloaded updates. Seconds passed. Minutes passed, and passed, and passed. 10%, 11%, 12%. As the percentages slowly climbed, my patience quickly declined.
“Come on, I have things to do," I told the computer. The computer didn’t answer me. It just kept twirling those little white dots. I said to myself, "Be patient, just wait." So, I did. While I waited, I began praying. And as the update percentage reached 25%, I thought, "Maybe God has some updates for me."
God Is Constantly Talking to Us
What a teachable moment! Was God telling me I should come before him in prayer and quiet time for his updates before I start each day? Was he telling me I need to be patient as he downloads what he wants to tell me, and not begin rushing into my day? Was it also a time when I can update him on my needs and the needs of others?
God is constantly talking to us. He longs for a close relationship with us. A long-standing bond between two close friends facilitates their ability to communicate with each other. An intimate relationship between a husband and wife creates the optimum scenario for mutual understanding, even in silent moments. In the same way, our ability to hear God and his message is in direct proportion to the closeness of our relationship with him.
The next time you’re waiting for your computer to finish processing, or any time you have to wait at the doctor's office, airport, or on the phone, ask God if he has anything to tell you. Think about something you need to tell him. The Lord already knows your thoughts, but your asking is an expression of faith and shows your appreciation for his being in your life.
Be Receptive and Listen
Make listening to God a priority. You must be ready to hear him and obey him. This will help increase your sensitivity to him. Also spend time in his Word. Other ways to increase your receptiveness are prayer, meditation, and worship. It’s often much easier to talk to God than to listen to him.
Finally, if your heart and mind are open to his messages, you’ll relish the time spent waiting for his daily updates, unlike watching twirling dots on your computer screen.
Additional reading:
Listen to God’s Words
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3)
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great a and unsearchable things you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3)
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)
Also read: Proverbs 2:1-5, Job 33:14-15, John 8:47
In the Words of Others
“If we have listening ears, God speaks to us in our own language, whatever that language may be.” Mahatma Gandhi
“Listen in silence because if your heart is full of other things you cannot hear the voice of God.” Mother Theresa
“Intimacy with God is not experienced through monologue prayers but through reflective listening as well as earnest petitioning.” Gary Rohrmayer
Think About It
When you pray in the morning, is your prayer experience interactive, allowing time and silence for the Lord to speak? If so, recall a time and how it affected your day.
When you receive a “download” from the Lord, do you spend time meditating on it and considering its significance for your daily Christian walk?
What can you do to make your time with the Lord more fruitful when receiving “downloads” from him?
What prevents you from taking the time to listen to the Lord’s messages? What can you do to correct that?