April-June
Did you know that a newborn baby cries about two hours per day? Between birth and six weeks of age, the amount of crying increases to almost 3 hours per day. Why? This is one of the main ways that babies communicate with mom and dad.
Our first need as human beings is to communicate. We have been communicating since the beginning of our life when our cry at birth foretold our fear of leaving the safety of the only environment we had known until that moment. Throughout infancy we’ve used crying to express hunger, sleepiness, excess cold and heat, fear, and all the other unpleasant feelings we experience.
The act of communication involves transmitting information and exchanging information between two people. In a world where we are socially and economically dependent, we have the need to connect with others and exchange our varied life experiences. Without the possibility of communication among groups of people, society would begin to weaken and collapse. The act of exchanging information is fundamental for conducting business transactions as well as for the continuity of life.
Speaking in economic and social terms, we can see that communication is essential. But what about spiritual communication? Do we feel the same need to communicate with our God as we do with our friends, teachers, coworkers and bosses? The enemy of our souls uses many different methods to distract us so that we do not feel this need to communicate with our heavenly Father. Therefore, young people, let us guard the avenues of the soul—our senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. Often the things we see in the world or on the screen look seemingly not offensive, but over time they can bring us spiritual harm.
“Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices, must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind must not be left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls may suggest. The heart must be faithfully sentineled, or evils without will awaken evils within, and the soul will wander in darkness. ‘Gird up the loins of your mind,’ Peter wrote, ‘be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.’ ”—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 518, 519. [Emphasis added.]
Having and maintaining a daily communion with God may require some personal effort because our sinful nature is often unwilling to set aside a small distraction and devote time to reading the scriptures and praying to our heavenly Father. Many times, Satan will influence and use friends or even family members to prevent us from connecting with God. However, let us not be discouraged by situations which test our perseverance in connecting with God. This may be a daily struggle for new Christians as well as long-time believers—in fact for all those who are seeking God.
After we are converted, we must continue feeding upon the spiritual bread daily or we will become spiritually weak and our old defects of character will take control of our being. It is only God’s power that can change us, subdue our sinful passions, help us overcome self, and enable us to acquire a Christ-like character. We must pray to God daily, asking Him for a change of heart, a change of our likes and dislikes as well, to give us greater spiritual desires. For this reason, the apostle Paul tells us to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
“There is need of constant, intimate communion with God. Only as we hold this communion with Him shall we be kept from making shipwreck of faith. . . . Temptations will come to every soul. Everyone will be tried and tested. Those who strive to hold fast to the faith will find that they must indeed pray and watch unto prayer.” —The Southern Watchman, March 1, 1904.
You can ask the Lord to motivate you to engage in daily prayer and reading of the scriptures. When you begin, the first few times you may not have a desire to pray and read your Bible. Why not make an experiment? Begin praying and reading the Bible while asking God to give you the desire to do it. You will notice that, little by little, your interests begin to change. The reading you once did not find very attractive turns into an incredible spiritual experience. Your heart will be filled with joy and happiness as you think of heavenly things; you will feel that heaven has come down to you.
The more you come in contact with the Bible and the books of the Spirit of Prophecy, the more God’s message of truth and love will find a place in your heart. Soon all earthly things will no longer take priority in your life. You will feel that what matters most is to be firm in Jesus, spreading His love to others, and watching and waiting for His soon return.
Young people, do not be discouraged if you feel you have no strength to face the difficulties and trials of your life. God promises to help you. The word of God says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8). How do we draw nigh to Him? Through prayer and the reading of His holy Word.
May you, like the deer, be “thirsty” to talk to Jesus every day. “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:1, 2). Have you talked with God today?