The music is all around you...

Remember that scene in August Rush where the boy hears music from everything, every street noise, every movement around him and thinks to himself (and to us), "The music is all around you, all you have to do is listen"? It felt like that for me this morning only my thought was more along the lines of, "God is all around me, desiring to reveal himself to me. All I have to do is listen." But it certainly wasn't the first thought I had.

It was one of those mornings where I wake up way before my travel alarm clock buzzer goes off and even before Carl's (and he gets up early!) Now what? Am I going to be able to go back to sleep? Um. Okay... No. I try to rest and manage to stay in bed with my eyes closed and the lights off until Carl leaves for work around 6:30 a.m. But still no sleep. I briefly think about dragging my laptop out and checking in with friends on Facebook or visiting some fun blogs. Oh yes, and checking my own blog to see how many friends have signed up for the give-away. So much fun just waiting for me! But I realize that I have someone to meet with this morning. He's ready to meet me right there in that Book on the night stand. So, I open my Bible.

What does God have for me today? Galatians. Read Galatians again. I've been learning and relearning so much from that book lately. He highlights certain books for me and I know that I need to read this one again today. It is such a good book. So much to chew on, pray over and ponder. One thing I glean is how He sets us free...free to love, not to indulge our selfish desires and become enslaved by them once again, but really free. Free to love.

Other things jump out too and God and I talk about them. That is to say, I pray over certain ideas He highlights for me and He speaks to my heart and leads me like only the Good Shepherd can. Then I'm done and it feels good. Okay, what next?

I have about an hour until time to get ready for work. My thoughts go back to the laptop. But the Shepherd is not done leading. I feel a 'No' to this fun option. 'But why? No one is up and Carl is gone, Lord. AND I put my time with you first, Lord.' I don't understand, but I ask again quietly, 'Why'? I listen and wait. "Your focus. You are easily distracted and the computer is becoming an idol that takes you away from me and your ability to focus on what I want to reveal to you. I have more to say to you. So much more, but you cannot always hear me." My heart instantly knows that He is right. But what is so amazing this time is that #1 - I listen, and #2 - I feel blessed. Blessed that He is a loving Father that gently convicts me of my sin...for my good. And I am amazed and blessed by a Father (the King of everything!) that desires and pursues a relationship with me - ME! That cannot be, and yet it IS true. And today that realization is not lost on me. I listen, obey, and realize that He wants to lead me so much more if I will let Him.

There are so many good things that take me AWAY from my REAL relationship with Him. Not my talking about Him, but my being with Him. Not just the check off list time, but enough time to really be close and hear Him more and more.

Thank you, Lord. When I am honest I really don't want more of the computer, more stuff, more me time, I want more of You. So much more. Thank you for confronting me about my idols, Lord. You are right. Good can be the enemy of the best. YOU are the best. Help me to listen!