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Quiet Time
by Kasia Kedzia
Isaiah 40:1(The Message) "Comfort, oh comfort my people," says your God.”
God cries out for someone to comfort his people. He has not called me to be comforted, but to comfort. He calls me to be his ear and hear those who are crying out. As I prepare for my trip I know that there will be people around me that are tired and weary of life and those who have possibly been pounded down to the point of hopelessness. But this possibility has only resonated with me in the past few days and in the past few weeks and months all I have been dwelling on has been my comfort. It’s so crazy, for weeks I have been so preoccupied with me that I really hadn’t thought about why I am really going away and what I am going to do. I know WHAT I am going there for and what I WILL be doing, but I really hadn’t given serious thought to the meaning of my trip. I have been too busy missing the comforts of home before I even leave. I have been too busy focusing on the fears and prejudices I have to overcome to focus on what’s most important- the people I am going to help…serve….love.
As a congregation we have been studying out the book of Revelations. For a long time I really avoided this book in the Bible. I felt like it was the dark book in the bible, the ‘hale and brim stone’ scary book. But I have found that it is also filled with much encouragement! Who would have thought it!?
Rev2 (The Message) 2"I see what you've done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can't stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. 3I know your persistence, your courage in my cause, that you never wear out.4"But you walked away from your first love--why? What's going on with you, anyway? 5Do you have any idea how far you've fallen? A Lucifer fall! "Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste, for I'm well on my way to removing your light from the golden circle.6"You do have this to your credit: You hate the Nicolaitan business. I hate it, too.7"Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. I'm about to call each conqueror to dinner. I'm spreading a banquet of Tree-of-Life fruit, a supper plucked from God's orchard."
Our minister broke this down into categories. In each letter to each church Jesus presents a compliment, a criticism, a command, and Jesus’ commitment to the church (or us).
He knows our deeds. I find this both incredibly comforting and ridiculously scary. On the one hand, I know that He knows all my good deeds, but on the other He also knows all of the crazy things I do out of selfish motives.
His compliment is for their persistence and courage in v3, but His criticism quickly follows in v4-5. In the NIV v5 reads, “5Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” One thing I started to think about and ask myself was, “Is there any time I can remember when I was more excited about God then I am now?” If there is, than I have fallen. I also am reminded of my thinking over the past few weeks and where my focus has been. I see that I have fallen. He praised my commitment and the decision I made, but the warning is very real for all of us. It is when we are standing strong that we should be most on guard.
His command is simple: repent. And His commitment is a banquet in heaven. I have been so worried about earthly things: people forgetting about me, their lives moving on, and/or missing out on something if I go, as well as the fear of what awaits me there instead of really focusing on trying to prepare to comfort God’s people. God is calling me higher, a LOT higher and I have asked for this; now it’s up to me to step out on faith and do what He is calling me to do. It doesn’t take much to fall and lose my early love and even when I am trying to do good I can quickly get in my own way. His commitment to me, His genuine love for me gives me the strength and faith to continue to do not only what is right, but to do it with the right heart.
Rev2:10b (The Message) “Don’t quite, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing. I have a Life-Crown sized and ready for you.”
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Since those first days, I have made it out of the Projects, finished my Masters degree in International Development, and moved to DC to work in my field. As a young single Christian woman my struggles today are a little different than they were when I first came to know God, but who am I kidding, not much. It's the every day battle for my heart to be pure before God, to strive to please him, and help others to seek and know Him.
Over my years of a faithful walk with God I have received much grace and compassion and have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Through out it all one thing has stayed consistent: God's word. Through His word I have been inspired and it has kept me faithful even when faith seemed like a foreign concept and God seemed deaf to my prayers. I started emailing my Quiet Times which helped me stay accountable as I shared my struggles and fought for understanding. Some wrote back and said they too were inspired and could relate. I hope some of my times can help inspire others who are seeking and fighting just like I am, to get to heaven and take as many as possible with me along the way.
Like what your read? Check out my blog: http://stronggirlforlife.wordpress.com/
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