Romans 11:33 – Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (NKJV)

This morning, from the moment that I got up and prepared to sit down for my devotional time with God, so many things have come to distract me that I was sure that it had to be the enemy. It couldn't be simply coincidence.

Before I settled down to read and pray, I decided to take some special tea that I had brewed and drain it through a strainer into a large container. However, instead of draining it into the container, I drained it into the sink. I growled with annoyance at my stupidity. I guess that I wasn't completely awake. Then, I noticed that there was still some left in the pot, so I poured that into the container, thinking that I would at least have some of it to drink. But the next thing that I knew, for some unexplainable reason, I dumped the tea remaining in the container out into the sink as well. In His mercy, God kept me calm, where normally I might have blown my top. He understood that my intentions were good, and waited patiently for me to make some coffee before I sat down.

As I slowly began to drink the coffee and was waiting to hear the Lord's voice, I raised my eyes upward with the intention of worshipping Him. There on the ceiling, just above my head, I spotted a ladybug.

My first thought was to sweep it down, but I realized that it was another distraction, so I decided to wait until I was finished with my devotionals. However, my eyes seemed to have a mind of their own, and they continually wandered to where that insect was sitting, despite my determination to ignore it.

As I picked up my devotional book and began to read, the doorbell rang. I felt a slight twitch of annoyance as I got up to answer it. It was my postman with a package for me. As I sat down again, I took a deep breath. Perhaps now, I would finally be able to spend some time in prayer and meditation. Just to be sure, I asked the Lord to keep any further distractions away so that I could have an uninterrupted quiet time with Him.

As I began to read my Bible, I relaxed, assured in my mind that I would have no further distractions. Then, the doorbell rang again. This time, I simply decided to ignore it. However, something seemed to tell me that I should answer it. I'm so glad that I listened. My neighbour, whose husband is dying of cancer, had come over in tears, to ask me to pray with her.

How great is our God! Indeed, His ways are past finding out. What a blessing for both my neighbour and me came as result of my listening for His still, small voice and heeding His promptings.

As I was retiring this evening, I thought over my rather strange day, and I wondered if there were any way for us, as believers, to distinguish immediately the difference between mere distractions and specific situations that God has designed for His purposes. As we prepare to spend time with Him, we should always ask for His discernment on this, to avoid any possible annoyances or change of plans that might arise from various distractions, to keep us from hearing His voice.

As I put out the light, it seemed almost as if I heard the Lord saying, "A word to the wise is sufficient. Now go to sleep." — and I did, peacefully, with a smile on my lips.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your still small voice. May we never allow our human reactions and emotions to deafen it, and may we always obey its leading. Amen.

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About the author:

Sharon Y. Greer <sygreer11@gmail.com>
Sandycove Acres, Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
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