I wake up early and know He’s waiting for me. I tiptoe down the hall and enter the secret place. What does He have for me today? I take my journal and His Word. I don’t want to miss anything. Jesus is my Teacher and, right now, I’m His student.
What will I learn in our sweet fellowship? In anticipation I receive for today just what I need – manna. Hours go by in instruction, communion, and even correction. I return silently to my husband’s side.
My second sleep sweeter than the first.
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. Isaiah 50:4
THE STUDENT
How do we learn if we’re not listening?
See with closed eyes?
Know if we’re not instructed?
I discover new and mysterious things in His word
Things I do not know
He speaks – I listen
I am like one being instructed
With a humble heart, I whisper
Thank You, Your Majesty, thank you!
Who am I that You speak to me?
Touch my burning heart?
I yield
Yield in His presence
Surrender to His voice
I see with my mind’s eye the truth
He draws near to those who draw near to Him
Why does He use the medium of Scripture?
I do not know
I only know I find Him there
He writes Himself on my heart
Etches Himself in my mind
Imprints my DNA
His story written clearly
I learn from listening
See with open eyes
His love instructs me
He is here
I lean in to hear the Author of the Word
The Author of my soul
Author of my faith
I am like one being instructed
He the Teacher
Me the student
Can you hear Him?
Chris Malkemes
Latest posts by Chris Malkemes (see all)
- God is Faithful and We Belong to Him - April 11, 2017
- Oh What a Great Love - December 13, 2016
- To Journal or Not to Journal? - June 14, 2016
What a treasure this poem is — a call to hear the voice of our Teacher. I’ve found that journaling is a tool for slowing me down, encouraging me to ask questions about what I’m reading in the Word, what God is teaching me in my daily walk. Thanks for this reminder to make space in our hearts for God to work.
Michele, it’s so difficult in our fast, swift world to become less distracted. No wonder we question if Jesus still speaks to hearts of men and women. I pick up a journal from over a year ago and find the woman I was yesterday is not the same. I wouldn’t be able to see that if I didn’t journal. His voice can be found in my journal, in my heart and rests in the soul. I hope others who read this post will take the challenge, pick up a pen, paper and listen.
Christine, I just had to take a break from my blog break and comment….b/c you are such a special soul, b/c you are one of our legacy Consilium women, and b/c I love nothing more than to journal to Jesus. Ah . . . the secret place. In my book, I called my journal the “secret garden of my soul.” I can tell that you truly understand this truth. I love that God awakens you to hear His voice—new very morning. Great is His faithfulness. We do hear Him speak through His Word and as we write to Him, I believe we hear Him then, too, as He directs our thoughts towards Him. Your poem is so lovely. Thank you for taking us into this intimate, secret place with you. I feel honored!
Love
Lynn
PS Somehow I had missed reading your bio before. Wow! And I used to work with America’s military at the USO, so may I salute you?!
Lynn. I salute you too. I knew you would understand. My mind rushes away from me if don’t quiet it down. There’s something beautiful God does when we have pen in hand. Appreciate you too.
Yes. You share so beautifully what happens in that sacred time of journaling with the Lord. He faithfully meets us there and teaches us. We are blessed to have this sweet Papa.
The thing is, Kelly, I would have missed it if I didn’t capture the treasured words in the Secret Place. Our Aba Father is amazing. He gives us the gift of journaling so we can “remember”. Awesome. Thank you for your words of encouragement.
Christine…..such a blessing as always. I love that verse in Isaiah 50. it reminds me of a verse in the Message that has become very important to me as I also have learnt to LISTEN: Ps 143.8 I go to sleep at night trusting in You, and You wake me in the morning to the sound of Your LOVING VOICE, telling me the way I should go. I often ask Him something I need wisdom about BEFORE I go to sleep, then when I wake….I lie and LISTEN before I do anything else. and He has never failed to give me the answer/wisdom I have sought I believe this discipline of LISTENING is vital to our well being in these days and love reading what YOU hear Him say and how you respond.
May God’s blessings rest richly and deeply upon your life, beloved..
Oh my sweet Mary. What I would give to just reach out and give you a warm loving hug. I don’t even know if would let you go. You touch my heart with your love. Thank you!!!!