I enjoy sitting out on a porch during a good storm.  I tend to be a bit old fashion if you call it that.  The crackling thunder, light show and hearing the rain fall down is soothing and music to the soul.  It’s a time I allow all the business of life to stop and reflect on God’s demonstrated power.  However it’s winter, and the chances of that are not very likely.

I was listening to my music on spotify the other day as it added songs to my playlist.  I came across a song I’ve never heard before by John Mark McMillan, a very talented Christian artist he is, called Nothing Stands Between Us.  Take a listen.

I like this song not only because it’s easier for me to sing, but the fact the lyrics and instruments hit a chord in my heart.  As if it were telling my story.  Of all the places I’ve been, people I’ve met, experiences come and gone, through the whole journey there’s always been this constant, okay God, what now?  Who am I?  What am I doing here?

John Mark McMillan shared his reason for writing the song on WJTL Radio:

“…approaching middle age and growing up, I have three kids…I think I hit a little bit of a midlife crisis.  Throughout most of my life I can say I was looking for God, I was looking for attention or I was looking for affirmation in the loud noises and bright lights, and I didn’t find it there.  What’s really interesting is this whole idea of thunder and lighting is sorta finding God in between those things or more specifically being found in between those two things.  And I think it speaks to who you are as a person, we see ourselves as this or this.  Do I define myself by the bright lights and noises or do I define myself by who I am between those things and the truth is that’s who I really am in between those things.”  

The radio host ended by saying “It’s the quiet space, the intimate space”

How true, that we can often be on the search for God.  Often we try to find Him through  the hustle and bustle of daily life.  Through all the distractions we can often be searching in the wrong places for attention and/or affirmation.  But it’s simple, all we need to do is be still, pray and listen.  Kinda like enjoying a thunder storm roll by.  Not everyone likes silence, but if it were to bring you closer in relationship with Christ, would you?  Can you relate to this song?  You ever realize that God knows who you are, where you are in that defining moment?

Matthew 6:6

“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private.  Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

I challenge you to take this advice.  Most of my times I’ve spent with God have been during  a storm, praying in the church while no one was present or even at home during the night.  Simply light a candle, turn the lights off and all other distraction, except for playing a little worship music if you’d like, and have your own prayer service at home.  Some of us call this building an alter.  If you really want God to search you and direct you, do your part by giving Him your undivided attention.  We will always be surrounded by loud noises and bright lights, but you don’t have to be lost in them.

Psalm 46:10

“…Be Still, and know that I am God…”