Don’t you just love the word ‘linger’? It sounds like what it means.
…to remain or stay on in a place longer than is usual or expected, as if from reluctance to leave,
…to dwell in contemplation, thought or enjoyment,
…to dawdle or loiter.
Do those definitions describe your approach to God’s Word?
Do people find your dawdling or loitering through the Bible?
Yes, it’s funny to think of reading the Word as dawdling or lingering. Is it even allowed?
In 2020, we are in such a rush, running from errand to errand and then at the end of the day, we collapse in front of a screen with our minds needing some down time. Dawdling and lingering do not feature in our days.
We have our Bible apps to give us our spiritual substance. We may have our daily bread or read the Bible-in-a-year check list. These are all good and worthy of our attention.
But what if we took one passage or even one verse and just lingered there? I wonder what treasure our lingering would uncover.
What if we took the same passage or verse and lingered over a series of days? How powerful would that be? Turning the words around and around in our minds. Picturing the story and maybe even placing ourselves in the narrative.
What if, while we linger in the Word, we talk to Abba Father about what we discover? That right there is part of a prayer lifestyle!
Lingering in the Word is treasuring and hiding it in our hearts as Psalm 119 describes.
It not only provides sustenance for our souls as we linger but will produce fruit in the future for us to draw on when we need it.
Let’s lean into Abba Father this week by lingering in the Word! (check out at the end of this email for the perfect song to listen to this week while you are lingering)
Action Step:
Pick a passage from the Word to linger. Don’t worry if you linger for days or even weeks. It could take a life time gleaning all the treasures from the Word of God. Here are some of my favourites:
1. John 6:1-15 The Loaves story
I love feasting on this slice of Jesus’ life. What little loaves and fishes can you give to Jesus to multiply? Put yourself in the little boys shoes, or even just one of the many sitting on the hillside waiting for the food basket came your way or maybe you are Philip, worried about the money needed and so you are busy doing your sums. Linger with this story for as long as it takes to glean what God wants you to experience about Him.
2. Psalm 46
Here is one of my favourite Psalms. It holds my life verse. Linger here by reciting it morning and evening. What image resonates with you?
Has your impression of God changed after lingering in Psalm 46?
3. Ephesians 1:15-23 Praying Scripture
Linger over each word and turn it back as prayer to Abba Father. What if you were given a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him? What if your loved ones eyes were enlightened to know the hope and the inheritance?
4. John 15:1-12 Abiding in the Vine/Knowing the Love of God
There is a richness in this vine analogy which is taking me a lifetime to search out. Don’t worry if it is difficult to understand – just ask the Holy Spirit to teach you from the inside out.
You don’t have to do any of the above, ask God for a verse or passage that He wants to uncover and then linger.
Father God, I thank you for the power of your Word. Please guide us into truth. Help ue to linger with You and in Your Word this week. Uncover more of who Your are. Allow Your Word to speak life into us. We ask that you turn up in our daily life this week. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Keep leaning into Him…
~~ I was interviewed by Jodi on the Depth Podcast. We talked about how to enjoy a lifestyle of prayer. Here’s the link to have a listen – 38 min long
~~Listening to this song this week – Not in a Hurry (Will Reagan)
Love the chorus – “I’m not in a hurry when it comes to your spirit, when it comes to your presence, when it comes to your voice”. Perfect for lingering with Abba Father!
~~ My writer friend Sarah Butterfield is inviting you to sign up to her bi-monthly newsletter and you will receive a free 20 page ebook for mums who want to grow closer to God. Sign up here
I loved what Jennalee wrote about Seasons of Prayer – it takes away the guilt and provides a natural way of connecting with Abba Father. What is your favourite part?
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