Marco Polo

I had this picture come to mind today while talking with a friend about how we "spend time" with God or how we "seek" him. He asked me, "What do you mean by 'spending time' with God?" And as I began to answer I realized that the most important part of spending time with God for me lately has been very simple: Listening.

This was the picture I got of how many of us, including me, often "spend time" with God: It's like we're in a pool playing a game of Marco Polo with God. Only, we're so freaked out because our eyes are closed (seeing through a dark glass) that we just keep yelling over and over "Marco! marco! marco!"; never stopping and being still and listening for God to say in His still quiet voice, "Polo". Remember with me, the best Marco Polo players were the ones that would stop for a moment and listen well, then pursue with everything they had the spot they heard "Polo".

The most important aspect of us "spending time" with God is not the praying, singing, asking part. To truly find God's purpose and plan...we MUST slow down and listen. And if you don't stop in your tracks sometimes to do it, you won't hear that quiet voice say, "Polo".

It takes humility to be still. It takes humility to realize that we don't understand all the variables. It takes humility to let God lead...to close our eyes...and look all silly saying, "marco"...while everyone else watches us float around the pool.

I can tell you from recent experience. It's such a wonderful wonderful thing to hear God say "polo". Are you listening?