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“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” Psalm 96:11-12

“You have my attention; I follow your direction.”

It’s from those eight words that the entirety of last Sundays message was birthed. 8 words tuned into 8 pages that turned in to 35 minutes of focused energy and passion. And they’ve been burning in my heart ever since.

They’ve not just been the “kickstart” to a single message, but they’ve been the substance of my prayer lately as moments have caught my eye and stirred my soul.

As I walk through my neighborhood seeing the beauty of the fall in Michigan, “You have my attention; I follow your direction.”
As I step sit quietly in my dark office with the song “Do it again” playing in the background, “You have my attention; I follow your direction.”
Listening to my daughter and my wife laughing together, “You have my attention; I follow your direction.”

That prayer has not only stirred my heart from those beautiful moments but in the face of challenging situations.

Getting a text from a hurting friend in ministry, “You have my attention; I follow your direction.”
Approaching the emergency room to visit a child with pneumonia,”You have my attention; I follow your direction.”
Receiving a phone call that seems to close the door on a dream, “You have my attention; I follow your direction.”

My simple prayer has been that intentional centering of my soul upon who Jesus is. But it’s not some ethreal thought but a determination to take notice and fix my attention up on the Lord. It’s to grasp the beauty of His majesty and to ponder on His wonder and fame. But that’s where most people leave it. Don’t get me wrong, worship is awesome. Recognizing His greatness is necessary. But it’s shallow at best if we don’t translate it to obedience.

And that has been the emphasis on the last part of my prayer.

I want to recognize Him and I want to respond to that revelation.

In Psalm 96, the psalmist captures the something in nature that captures his attention to who God is. I think we need to do that more.

To take notice on a drive of the beauty of creation as the trees begin to change.
To see an evening sky change colors as the sun sets.
To sit at lake Michigan and see the water splash against the pier.
To walk in a quiet forest and listen to the sound of the wind through the trees.

I love the words of Psalm 104, 24-25 when they say “How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small.“

But let us not leave revelation in our hearts. Let’s live revelation in our hands and feet. Let us allow the shaping and tones of our words bear the revelation of our Savior. Let us look for someone in need to give a revelation of a God who cares. Let us find someone to encourage to give them a revelation of a Savior who hasn’t forgotten about them.

This week, would you take notice of the glory of God in creation around you? But don’t just leave revelation in your heart. Let revelation live in your life in everything you do.

“You have my attention; I follow your direction.”

Before you head into your day, an appointment, a store, or into family time, would you say that prayer?

Thanks for letting me ramble…