The Rocking Chair

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 

– Mark 1:35

When is your favorite time to be with God?  Mine is first thing in the morning, when the sun is rising and the day stretches out before me.  I used to think I didn’t have time to meet with God because my day was already too full.  But as crazy as it sounds, when I began to make “an appointment” to sip my morning coffee with God, He showed up.  Here is a true story about another person whose life was drastically changed by a daily, divine appointment.

A very successful man who’d made his fortune in advertising made an unusual visit to a church in Chicago.  Perhaps his wife dragged him there because he usually worked every day of the week.  The pastor spoke that Sunday about hearing God’s whispers when we spend time with Him.  After the service, the wealthy man approached the pastor and asked how he could also hear God’s whispers.  The pastor shared his simple strategy: “First thing in the morning, set an appointment to meet with God.  Read His word, pray, and talk with Him.  Then be still and wait to hear His whispers.”  The wealthy man, somewhat proudly, explained that he didn’t have time for God.  He worked long, intense hours running an important firm. The pastor understood.  He’d heard it all before.  

The next morning, much to his surprise, the wealthy man’s eyes popped open before his alarm went off.    His first thought was not about God but about a high quality rocking chair.  All day long he kept thinking about that rocking chair.  So after work, he went and bought the most expensive one he could find and brought it home, placing it off the master bedroom overlooking his expansive backyard.  

For many mornings after, the wealthy man kept his appointment with God, reading the Bible, praying, and waiting to hear God’s whisper.  But all was silent, except for the birds in his backyard.  Finally, one morning the wealthy man heard God’s voice telling him to quit his high-paying position and go work for free at the church.  He met with the pastor and excitedly shared his career plans.  The pastor questioned his logic, but after hearing about the rocking chair, agreed with the plan.

Day after day, year after year, the wealthy man met with God in the rocking chair.  When God whispered to the man to sell his big house, he sold it.  When God whispered for the man to help a friend start a church, he moved and helped plant the church.  When God whispered to give more, and to love more, he eagerly did both.  Whenever God whispered, the wealthy man listened and obeyed.  He’d never been happier.  

Then one day, the wealthy man received terrible medical news.  He took the news to God in his rocking chair and asked for healing.  God whispered, “No, but I’m here to comfort you.”  At the memorial service, his wife shared with the pastor that the rocking chair would be passed down from generation to generation as a reminder that God does whisper when we meet with Him.  It would be the wealthy man’s legacy of faith to his family.

Just as He called to this man, God calls to each of us to spend quality time with Him, every day.

The power of giving God thanks will ignite your faith and change the world

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