think often on GOD, by day, by night, in your business, and even in your diversions

In a restless society of constant communication, of hustle and bustle, of mobile phones and email, of instant messengers and newsreaders do you ever find a time when you actually switch off?

Our televisions are the first thing we switch on in the morning, and the last thing we switch off at night. In between times we listen to the radio on the way to work, keep our newsreaders open whilst working and mobile phones switched on. We’re ready to switch to a conversation on our instant messengers at the first popup. In all of this our brains never get to rest. Where do we get the time and space for genuine meditation.

I once read that it is where our mind comes to rest that indicates the state of our souls. When all the sources of distraction, whether self inflicted or not, come to a halt, what do our thoughts return to?

For the believer we must discipline our hearts to return to God. This busy world is one tactic of the enemy to take us away from God. Brother Lawrence had it right with his Practise of the Presence of God. How would he cope with today’s pace? Just the same as he did in the 17th Century, by deliberately cultivating a discipline of returning our thoughts to our Maker and Lord.

“Pray remember what I have recommended to you, which is, to think often on GOD, by day, by night, in your business, and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave Him not alone. You would think it rude to leave a friend alone, who came to visit you: why then must GOD be neglected? Do not then forget Him, but think on Him often, adore Him continually live and die with Him; this is the glorious employment of a Christian; in a word, this is our profession, if we do not know it we must learn it. I will endeavour to help you with my prayers, and am yours in our LORD.” — Brother Lawrence