Stop and Listen

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.