I wish I knew why

We are called to be in an ever-growing relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Yet, there are times when I don't fell like I am growing much. I actually feel stagnant. Oh, I still do the things I am supposed to do. I read my Bible every day. I pray. I read devotional guides. I pour over commentaries and other books. I am seeking head knowledge, but my heart seems to be just chugging along, not growing, just existing. What is it that is getting in the way?

There are probably other reasons, but I pulled out an old CD that I used to listen to as part of my devotions. Over time, I had decided that I did not have time to include the musical portion of my morning time. Music touches my emotional center unlike any other medium. It was when I started listening to that worshipful music again that my heart jumped. Suddenly, I could feel in my heart what my head was reading. Emotions flooded my morning and I was struck by the beauty of my Creator. I noticed the sunrise and the contrast of the purple lilac blooms against the white apple blossoms. The clouds rolled in as rain approached and I recognized the hand of God in the clouds and the rain.

In a flash, my heart was in tune again. What changed? I had changed my morning meeting with God into a chore. I was doing it because it was what I was supposed to do. I wasn't necessarily anticipating meeting God. I was just going through the motions. When I heard that music, it reminded me that my morning time is not just going through the motions, but that it is a time of personal worship. I needed to remind my heart of just how awesome God is. Please don't ask what artist I was listening to, or what song touched me so deeply. These are intensely personal. God spoke to me in a unique way. The point is not for you to replicate exactly what I did, but rather to get to the point where God can touch you the way He touched me. It requires a proper attitude, an open heart, ready to receive the blessings of God.

There are times when I bow a knee toward God because it is right to bow before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. But there are other times when I bow toward God because I just cannot stand before His greatness. This morning was that kind of morning. I have a glimpse of what David must have been feeling when He penned these verses:

The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains,
The world, and those who dwell in it.
For He has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
And who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
And has not sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive a blessing from the Lord
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seeks Your face -- even Jacob. Selah. (Psalm 24:1-6, NASB)