Alive & WellUkázka

### I’m Coming Alive ### By Andrés Ferreira LYRICS Here I am in the struggle Hear my prayer, pure and simple Take my broken soul, have it all Take my wandering thoughts, have control In pursuit of finding holiness Is the simple act of speaking less My wife recently gave birth to our first son, Luca. We have never been happier — or sleepier — than we are now! Every day is a new challenge, and lately it’s trying to get him to sleep (Can I get an amen?). But  we recently discovered that it’s easier for Luca to fall asleep to white noise, which blocks other sounds that may be in the environment. Do you remember when the nights and days seemed to last forever during the pandemic lockdown? Many of us found ourselves alone and isolated. But in that silence and isolation, somehow, the noise was even louder than before. Crazy, right? I’m talking about the "white noise" on TV and social media that doesn't let us think, that distracts us, that keeps us mindlessly scrolling, that keeps us comparing ourselves to others, and keeps us from looking to Jesus. There were so many voices, so much fear, and so many questions. But at the same time, we realized this noise had always existed, and that the pandemic had only amplified it. We were weary and tired, and may have forgotten that what we really needed was the peace and stillness of God's voice. This is what God wants for our lives: less of us, and more of Him — a total surrender. His voice is still clear, kind, sweet, and loving. Powerful as thunder, gentle as a breeze. He brings the truth and security our soul needs for every storm in our lives. The same voice that created heaven and earth has the power to restore order, meaning, and purpose to your life. The Bible tells us that our God, "stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations" (Psalm 65:7, NIV) Believe me, I know what it feels like to feel lost in the thousands of voices in my head, but I also know how sweet it is to be lost in the abundant grace of God and in his presence. So, what do you say? Do you want to make this exchange with God today — less of you and more of Him? No matter what happens around you, God will be with you, illuminating the night you believed would have no end. He will restore your soul forever. PRAYER Dear God, help us to hear Your voice in the midst of the noise around us. Silence all the distractions that take us away from You. I believe there is power in Your voice to calm the storm and restore meaning to everything. God, today we have decided we want more of You and less of us. Take our lives and make them Yours. Take this broken soul and renew us completely. In Jesus’ name, amen.