I
haven't written, really written in a while. Sometimes thoughts and
emotions aren't ready to be shared with the public. Often, what we
have to say isn't really worth saying out loud. Maybe that's why I've
stopped myself short of writing.
So,
what else needs to be said? After all, Solomon wrote, “What
has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9. If
that's true, then what truths do I need to echo? What anecdotes does
my life experience add to the forum of ideas?
Earlier
this year I felt God's familiar press on my heart, along with his
voice in my ear saying, “Stop.” A parent knows that the command
to stop is almost always followed by the word, “Listen.” And
while it is easy to stop, it is much harder to listen, especially if
the directions include a waiting period. Have you ever observed
children while they are waiting? They squirm, they complain, they ask
questions, get distracted, and finally begin to do their own thing.
The same holds true for me and God. I'll stop for a while, get
impatient or distracted and often simply wind up doing my own thing.
It's hard to stop and listen, much less resolve to obey.
Jesus
told his disciples that he did only what he saw his Father doing. He
spoke only what his Father commanded. (John 5:19, John 12:49). I've
asked myself more recently, “Is it worth saying or writing if it
doesn't come from the Father?”
Stop
and Listen.
God
has been dealing with me directly in regard to pride, ask my husband,
it's been fun ;-). So I ask myself, “Is what I'm doing or saying,
right now, out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. (Philippians 2:3)
Am I in humility putting the interests of others ahead of my own?
(Philippians 2:4).
Stop
and Listen.
Speaking
of Jesus, John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must
decrease.” There has been way too much of me in my head and too
much of the world influencing my actions and reactions. I must stop
and become aware of the voices I'm listening to. I need to refocus
and readjust my ears to God the Father. He must increase, and I must
decrease.
I
must Stop and Listen.
Obedience
will follow.
