I’m reading “Letters By A Modern Mystic” by Frank Laubach, who was a missionary to the Philippines. He longed to live in communion with God. He was determined to not let a single minute pass without thinking about God and to ask God’s permission before he did anything, including his repetitive daily routines. The letters record his experiences – how hard it is to focus on God throughout the day and the rewards he reaped when he was successful.
We may think that trying to focus on God while we’re working will distract us, resulting in poor performance. But Laubach believed that people living their daily lives already think about two or three things at the same time and that it won’t distract us if we let one of those thoughts be occupied by God. If he had been a hermit, I would be less inclined to believe him, but because he had such a busy schedule and accomplished so much, his words are credible to me.
In his letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul says, “Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18) I haven’t taken this admonition literally, but I have begun to wonder if Paul actually meant for it to be taken that way.
I’ve tried to live in constant communion with God myself. I pray or carry a conversation with God when I drive to church in the morning. I pray for 20 minutes before Sunday worship services and before Bible classes, and for 10 to 20 minutes before I meet people for business or counseling. I try to talk with God throughout the day but my communion with God is still sporadic; I must seek constant communion.
We’ve started to add a blank space on the sermon outline handouts labeled “Decision of the Week.” I’d like you to fill it with your decision based on the sermon preached that day. But don’t wait until the sermon is over. Keep asking God constantly throughout the sermon: are You speaking to me? If you feel that God is speaking to you through the preaching, immediately write it down. This is one way to learn to commune with God and hear His voice. You don’t have to make a new decision every week. God may tell you to continue doing what you’ve already been doing. Simply write down what you think God is telling you and ask for God’s help during the prayer time.
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