Prior Moments

A couple of weeks ago at church during worship, there was a pause, an intentional pause of silence in-between songs. No clapping—QUIET.

I LOVED it! It wasn’t long, only about 8 seconds, yet it was extremely noticeable. For it was a holy pause of reverence. The moment of silence set the tone for the rest of our worship time. 

How often do we pause? We are a run-full-force-forward society that taking pause actually seems awkward. As I sit working through the homework for our upcoming women’s study launching in a few weeks—I too pause. An intentional preparative (head bowed) pause.

I take my cue from Ezra. 

WHO?

Ezra was a scribe from the Old Testament; he was full of passion and zeal for God and His word. He along with Nehemiah was instrumental in creating an environment for revival and restoring spiritual devotion and worship. 

One verse that jumps out defines the sincere outcome, “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” (7:10 NKJV, emphasis mine) 

Ezra prepared his heart. 

Prepared his heart to seek, to do, and teach. What a beautiful 3-step focus. Ezra’s effectiveness as a leader came directly from established prior moments, moments of intentional setting his heart.

Before the Lord—ahead of leading the people.

We too need purposefully created prior moments (pause) and position our heart, mind, and understanding. 

How often do we grab a mug of coffee, slide into our comfortable chair and open the Bible and begin reading? What might be the outcome if we were to intentionally pause before opening the Book? Before reaching for our pencil and journal? A quick 8-second pause of reverence, preparing our heart (like Ezra) might make a noticeable difference, setting the tone for what comes next as we run into our day.

May we like Ezra prioritize purpose-filled prior moments.

Principle for leadership: We must stand before the Lord in private before we ever attempt to stand before the people in public.

Prior moments.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

* We can read Ezra’s story in the short book with his name and the squeal, Nehemiah.