When you get to be my age, you notice that your senses aren’t functioning as well as they used to. So you look back and think about how you contributed to the demise of those senses through “less than smart” activities. In the case of my hearing, it was my affinity for loud music during the 60’s and 70’s. Now I have a “volume issue” that makes Tracy a bit crazy. So, I got a set of wireless headphones and she relaxed a bit. Then there are the eyes. I can blame that more on age than personal abuse! In my forties I realized I had to wear reading glasses if I was going to get through any book, newspaper, literature, or see what was on the computer screen. Anyway, you get the picture. Before I bore you with anymore of my complaints, I want you to know that God turned those issues into a blessing by seeing a new approach to prayer. Acknowledging the reality of who I am, I began to get stronger input when I prayed: “Lord, I am deaf and blind to many spiritual issues. Would you please make your answer so plain that even I can see, despite my deafness and blindness?”
The longer I spend my life in prayer the more I realize its value. Not only does it remind me of my position as a Kingdom family member, but it builds spiritual depth accompanied by a strong hedge of protection. My mistakes now provide me with an appreciation of an extra covering of grace. Prayer expanded and enlarged the skills I was born with and helped me with the spiritual success and prosperity for which God felt I could be accountable. Because we see with limited vision, our prayer coupled with Christ’s intercession, provides a much better view of life’s playing field. (Psalm 32:8) And, it is on that playing field that we develop and grow or fade away into the heat of the day. Prayer plants us in the right place – where the soil is fertile and there is access to God’s refreshment and enlightenment.
We’ve all read the passage or heard the Parable of the Sewer in Matthew 8:4 – 15. The parable describes the differences between fertile soil, representing a good open mind, and those less fruitful. The minds which produce poor results are those who have not used prayer as their hedge of protection for growth. The first soil is hard indicating a bitter, prideful or fear based mindset which cannot be penetrated. People who do not pray think they already have all the answers. The second indicates a shallow or superficial mindset that seeks knowledge, but doesn’t know what to do with it once they have it. They do not seek God’s guidance in order to apply His word in everyday life. The third mind is distracted by life, rather than focused on the Kingdom. Their lack of prayers for protection allows them to embrace fun and foolishness as their reward rather than endurance for the long haul. The fertile soil represents a willing and open mind to God’s leading of the Holy Spirit. They are willing to bypass people’s opinions for what God communicates to them – in prayer. They know His voice.
Kids, prayer is really the only way to insure you grow and develop. While people and circumstances may provide the correct answers at times and the scriptures give you revelations when appropriate, prayer will always keep you focused on your immediate and long term needs for success in the Kingdom. Just make sure you are listening, not just speaking – two ears, one mouth!!!!!
Love, Dad