<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3 <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk…”<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peter tells believers to get rid of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. These things contaminate the soul.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He then says to crave pure spiritual milk so that we can grow. This is a picture of hunger for what truly nourishes us.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes spiritual growth requires removing something before adding something. We may need to stop gossiping and start praying for others. We may need to lay down selfish ambition and choose contentment. We may need to unplug Wi-Fi and spend time with God. We may need to take out our headphones and listen for God in nature.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Disengagement is not just saying no. It is saying no to one thing so we can say yes to God.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the heart of fasting. Christians have long practised fasting, not only from food but also from distractions. Fasting means letting go of something for a time to make more space for God.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A social media fast, an evening without screens, or a quiet walk can become a way of clearing the well.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, ask what you could set aside this week to make room for God’s voice.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reflection questions:<ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); list-style-type: decimal; font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What habits of disengagement could help me hear God more clearly?</li><li aria-level="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); list-style-type: decimal; font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Would a social media fast be helpful, and what would I replace that time with?</li></ol><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prayer: <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Holy Spirit, help me lay aside what fills me with noise and emptiness. Grow in me a hunger for what is pure, life-giving, and close to Jesus. Amen.

Disengagement is not just saying no. It is saying no to one thing so we can say yes to God.

5.Disengaging to Hear God

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5.Disengaging to Hear God

5.Disengaging to Hear God

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