Have you ever deliberately begun your day before the crack of dawn? It can be a very refreshing experience, one that is ever so peaceful and quiet. The newness of the morning, the freshness of a new day, hold endless possibilities if we truly stop and reflect upon the potential of what each day affords.
True, there are many demands and responsibilities that dictate our daily schedules, yet within the infancy of the morning is the opportunity to chart our course for today. It’s also a good time to reflect on Proverbs 16:9 which tell us that man makes his plans, but the Lord directs his steps, guiding us in the choices we make that define our day. The secret to success rests in listening to that “still small voice…” of the Lord. (1 Kings 19:12-15)
Granted, we do live in a very “busy” age, which has made it even more challenging for us to rest and retreat. Contrasting our day to the day of Johann Sebastian Bach, for example,🙂can be an enlightening and revealing exercise. In a YouTube video (w/ English subtitles), pianist András Schiff “explains Bach”. Schiff shares that essential to Bach’s success, was his need for “peace and quiet”. It was within the peace and quiet that Bach’s creativity flourished. He managed to achieve a level of peace and quiet, in his day, even amidst his family responsibilities, which included his many children. Schiff goes on to say that if Bach were living in our day and age, it would have been impossible for him to create and produce the magnificent music that he did!
Sobering insights, to say the least, causing me to pause, wonder, and reflect upon “how far” we’ve come, today. Yet, that same need for peace and quiet still exists for us, centuries later, reminding me of that “still small voice” referenced in 1 Kings, as well as Psalm 46:10 which admonishes us to “Be still…”
Beginning the day in the Lord’s presence, and guided by His leading, is challenging at best, yet satisfying at most.
For example, (Don’t laugh now, please…), here’s a question from an old tune for you: “How ya gonna keep ’em down on the farm after they’ve seen Pari’?”
You may be way too young to remember that tune of my childhood, but I’m sure you’re insightful enough, to figure out its meaning. Although many of us did not grow up on a farm in the quiet countryside, no one needs to tell us how busy, noisy, and distracting the world has become in our day. Plus with today’s technology, I daresay those living in the country can attest to the same.
Add to that, the longing and desire in your heart as a parent, to create a quiet environment, (pastoral, if you will) in which to teach your child(ren) the precious truths of God’s Holy Word. We all know that such learning is best done in a quiet, focused setting, particularly if we desire to enter into our Lord’s precious presence as we do so. (Psalm 23:2-3)
Therein lies the challenge, as I see it. Please correct me if you think I’m wrong, but the sweetest times of learning about God often occur when we experience that time while hearing His “still small voice”. (1 Kings 19:12)
The free Bible study lessons that I offer were designed specifically for the purpose of helping your child focus in on God’s Word. The lessons are quite plain and simple: no bells, whistles, commentary, or flashy design, but rather a presentation of God’s Word in its purest sense, directing the student to go to the Holy Scriptures, only, to complete the lessons.
If you haven’t taken a look at this work in progress, please do so. If you think it adds value to your experience do let me know. Thanks, and God bless. Numbers 6:24-26.
God's Word To Us 