I try to be 100% honest on this blog, and lately I’ve been having some trouble with ‘quiet time’ – AKA – time reading and studying the Bible and praying. After an inspiring meeting with some MOPs colleagues last night, I decided it was time to re-focus my energy on what should be at the center of my life – God.
The weather has finally turned here in Phoenix and I took the kids to the park this morning. After pushing them on the swings for what felt like forever (my poor arms!), I set them loose to play on the playground equipment while I settled down to read my dusty, neglected Bible.
By chance, I turned to Isaiah 43 and started reading. I was able to get through this verse:
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
I started contemplating the verse and thinking about how applicable it was to my life right now. I feel sometimes like I’m being swept away by life and how things are out of control and I was in the middle of thinking about how I needed to….
“MOMMY!” (My son runs up to me in a panic.) He whispers: “I need to go poop.”
Sigh….
This means we have to pack up everything, put our shoes on, and walk back home so he can take care of business.
We get home and I try…again…to focus on the word. Then my daughter: “I’m HUNGRY MOMMY!” Then my son, screaming from the bathroom for help.
After they are taken care of, I turned on Sesame Street and hoped they’d be quiet long enough for me to blog and do a little study right now.
Have you heard of S.O.A.P?
S: Scripture
O: Observation
A: Application
P: Prayer
It’s a nice little acronym to help you study the Bible.
I already have the scripture, so here’s my observation – it’s telling me that when things get crazy, I feel lost or forgotten or about to be swept away, God is with me. No matter how alone I may feel, He’s there. Application – how can I apply this to my life, right now? I need to stop and focus when I’m feeling upset or out of control. Because I don’t need to feel that way! He tells me right here that He’s with me.
Prayer: God, please plant this verse deep in my heart and mind so I can remember it in my many times of frustration and trouble. Let me remember that You are always here and always with me.
Question: have you done SOAP before? Try it!
