Sit and Think

“And as Peter pondered concerning the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are seeking you.” (Acts 10:19 LITV)

Sometimes I just sits! 

When noticing that I am pondering a thought, my wife who knows me well is quick to ask, “What are you thinking about?” Always enjoying the playful moments with her, many times my light-hearted response is, “Oh, sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits!”

Being inquisitive by nature, she does not allow a lengthy shallow mode and probes for an explanation of the musings whirling within my mind. Her discernment is triggered the moment my countenance exhibits the slightest indicator that I have Been Pondering something that may need to be spoken, written or physically acted upon.  Almighty God has shown great kindness by placing her in my life.

 

A Time to Sit – A Time for Thought – A Time for Action

To sit is commonly identified as a position of rest.  Without doubt there is a time and place for sitting, meditating and praying in quietness.  Assuming a seated position where there is silence and solitude can be a great blessing to the overwrought human soul.  Quiet time has come to be a rare commodity in this age of electronic media with ongoing access to a plethora of sights and sounds!

God’s Word, however, issues the following command:

“But when you pray, go into your [most] private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open.”  (Matthew 6:6 AMPC)

For an example of one being obedient to such an order, Chapter 10 of the Book of Acts reveals that Peter knew how to seek out a quiet, private place to enhance his spiritual sensitivity.

“Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.” (Acts 10:9b NASB)

During this quiet, housetop interlude, Peter experienced a vision from Almighty God.  As he considered the revelation given to him in secret, the Holy Spirit commanded Peter to move beyond the musing stage and take action.

Peter had a choice to make. He could have just sat there — staring, dazed and blank.  He could have continued to ponder the vision and do nothing.  Scripture notes that Peter initially resisted the concept revealed in the vision, but he wisely chose to obey the Lord’s directive.  Peter didn’t just sit — he sat; he questioned; he pondered; and he acted!

Today, we are blessed by having ready access to God’s Word, which reveals many things, including this momentous topic that filled Peter’s thoughts. The Holy Spirit gave the details to Peter and we too may treasure them and ponder them in our hearts.  We bask in these thoughts and the eternal significance of their meaning for all mankind.  Although reading Chapters 10 and 11 of the Book of Acts in their entirety would be helpful, for the sake of brevity a summary with the significant point is as follows:

“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” (Acts 10:34-35 NIV84)

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.”      (Acts 10:44-46 NIV84)

“So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”  (Acts 11:18b NLT)

Conclusion

During this earthly sojourn, let us pray to our Heavenly Father, seeking His good, acceptable and perfect will for our lives, understanding that there is a time and place for silence and solitude.  May we choose to search for such times and places.  As we find them, let us sit in the Lord’s presence, listening carefully and heeding His commands.  When hearing directives that line up with God’s Word, let us guard against the inclination to sit and do nothing, but rather choose the better process, which is to

SIT and THINK and be willing to SPEAK and take ACTION!