Do Not Disturb

Moses got a burning bush.(Exodus 3:2)

God speaks to Jacob from the top of the ladder. (Genesis 28:13)

In the New Testament God spoke to Peter while he was on the roof waiting for lunch.
(Acts 10:15)

Mary heard God in the voice of an angel. (Luke 1:28)

I have never "heard" the voice of God, but

God often speaks to me through images...

As I was recently preparing another article, I was looking for the perfect image to go along with the words, I came upon the image to the left. It struck me, and as I began to think about it, it was as if God himself had delivered me a very personal message.

How often do I hang out a "Do Not Disturb" sign?

It was put on my heart that I often, without realizing, hang that sign on the door of my life.
I hang out the sign as a message to God to let me "handle it all."

I want control.

I can take care of it.

I would never TELL God that I can handle it myself, but how often to I subtly hang that sign on my heart?

When I don't begin my day with prayer I'm putting out the "Do Not Disturb" sign.

When I move through my day not committing to "Thy will" but "my will," I'm putting out the "Do Not Disturb" sign.

When I neglect to see the nudges that God gives me, by interrupting my daily activities with the needs of others, I am again putting out the "Do Not Disturb" sign.

There should never be a "Do Not Disturb" sign hanging on my life when God comes seeking my heart. The door to my spirit should be flung wide open, ready to accept any and all that God wants in my life. It's in learning that God will often use the delays, the interruptions and inconveniences to open the way to amazing opportunities. How sad that in my own need to control my life I hang out the sign and miss so much.

I want an "OPEN 24 HOURS" sign instead!

"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog, it's here a little while and then it's gone. What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that." Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and such boasting is evil."
James 4:14-16

I need to humble myself before God and submit to HIS will. I pray that I learn to allow HIM to enter into my spirit, fill me with His Spirit, allow Him to disturb and interrupt my day as He see's necessary. Submission means leaving the door open at all times. Committing to His Will means that I take down the "Do Not Disturb" sign and allow God to enter freely.

Questions to ponder:

Do you ever hand a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your heart?

How can you humble yourself and give up the control of this life to and commit to God's will in all areas of your life?

Prayer~

Denis Duncan penned a perfect prayer for my heart today.....

"Give me, O Lord unlimited patience, unlimited understanding, unlimited love. Then I will be able to forgive as I have been forgiven; To bless as I have been blessed."

Father, I know that in my humanness I sometimes hang a "Do Not Disturb" sign on my heart. Forgive me, I never want to shut you out. Help me to live by the words of your Son, "Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Help me rid my life of selfish pride and replace it with humility and submission. Father, help me to submit as your Son, Jesus submitted each and every day that he lived on earth. Help me replace the "Do Not Disturb" sign with an "Open 24 hours" sign on my life. Thank you for the grace and mercy that you continuously show me, by revealing yourself in so many ways and in so many images.
It is in this grace and mercy that I grow closer to you.
Amen

Join Lori daily at her personal blogspot, where she can be found seeking God's will, resisting the temptation to hang out the "Do Not Disturb" sign.