She Is... Focused

By Robin Halvorson 

​As a mom of three kids under five years old, my attention is constantly being demanded.  “Wait! Don’t let the baby get that cord!” “No! Don’t touch that!” “Please quit pulling your sister’s hair!”  I have learned to become a multi-tasking master, and somehow at the end of the day all of my kids and my husband are happy, fed, and fulfilled.  It is the absolute grace of God (and coffee, lots of coffee) I’m able to juggle all the things in my life.

However, at the start of 2019, the Lord began speaking about sharpening my focus when I look towards Him.  I have many things in front of my eyes all the time.  I often find myself sitting on the couch, when I have a free moment, and scanning my phone for things that need to be done or texts/emails that need to be answered.  Or, let’s face it, sometimes I pick up my phone simply for an opportunity to “check-out” and scan social media.  In a busy world with so many voices coming at us every day it is easy to become distracted from The One who can bring it all into focus.  And, I’ve found I often approach my time with the Lord the same way I approach my free-time.  I scan my brain for the checklist of what needs to be done.  Read the Word. Check! Worship. Check! Pray for needs. Check! If I don’t accomplish my “list” I often feel I’ve let myself down.  However, what the Lord is challenging me to do is simply “be” with Him during the time I have throughout my day.  That doesn’t mean I forsake my spiritual disciplines of reading the word or praying; however, I stop before anything else and ask Him what He wants to speak to me about my heart and what He is doing in my life.  I am inviting the Holy Spirit into those moments to speak directly into my heart. 
 
So, what does listening to God during our time alone with Him look like? Here are a few things I’ve learned:

1. God has never spoken to me in an audible voice or appeared in some dramatic fashion.  He can speak that way to some people, I’ve just never had it happen to me yet.  Hearing from God, for me, often looks like quieting my soul, closing my eyes, and asking what He wants to say.  More often than not, I immediately have a thought that I know wasn’t my own.  It may challenge me or encourage me, and I’ve learned to recognize that “still small voice” as the voice of God speaking to my heart.  John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me.” The Lord is always speaking to us, we just have to learn to listen!
2. The Bible is the very breath of God and one of the easiest ways to get an immediate word from the Lord! 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is breathed out by God.” This means words in The Bible are the very breath of God! When you sit down to read the word ask God to speak directly from His scripture to you.  He will meet you with encouragement every single time!  
3. God’s presence never leaves us! Oftentimes we think worship is reserved for Sunday morning with the worship leader and full band.  However, worship is simply giving back love to our Heavenly Father in the same way He first loved us. Wherever you are throughout your day, take a moment to still your heart and tell Jesus how much you love Him and how grateful you are for His love in your life.  As you do, you will begin to recognize the peace and love that fills your heart as His presence.  Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call me and I will answer you.”  Every time we call on the Lord, He is right there to answer!

 
So, Beloved, I challenge you to not only “do” the things we should do to grow in God, but also “be” with Him and listen to Him in the quiet moments.  I promise He is always speaking!

​-Robin 
 
​About the author // Robin Halvorson is a part of the Beloved Team. She lives in Roanoke, TX along with her husband, Jordan, two girls, Shiloh & Gabrielle, and her newborn son, Judah.  She is a member of New Life Worship and leads worship for Tuesday Night Prayer.  She is currently a stay at home mom. With a degree in Communication and Worship Leadership from Oral Roberts University, she was a public speaker for nearly 10 years speaking to students across Texas and the surrounding region about abstinence and bullying.