Listen! Monday, December 6, 2010

Reading: James 1:22-25, 22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

Many times when it comes to this passage we talk about doing something because the passage implies that you are listening. But, listening is the foundation for turning around and doing something. You may have heard from a parent, a spouse or a friend as they declared, “You’re listening but you are NOT hearing me”. I received quite a bit of grief from my English Literature professor in college because I would all too often fall asleep in her class. I usually worked security until 2 a.m. and then had class at 7:20 a.m. But, can you imagine if I showed up to class every day, slid my books under my desk and put my head down to go to sleep? Or, every single class, I didn’t pay attention by daydreaming, talking to my neighbor or drawing pictures. When test time would inevitably come, I would most likely panic and talk to the teacher to get the notes or information that would be on the test. I’m sure the teacher would look at me and say, “I gave you all the materials you would need for the test previously. Were you paying attention?” Although you may think that would be very bold and ridiculous to even consider, when time wasn’t taken to listen, take notes and pay attention, we often do the same thing with God. He gives us the tools that we need. He gives us the notes. He speaks to us constantly. But, we don’t pay attention during the message in church, when God is trying to give you the information. We don’t open His Word where He keeps His notes for the test. Yet, when the “test” comes, we run up to Him and demand the notes and the information. Why do we always expect God to give us the answers to the test, on the test day; and, not have to pay attention before hand when He is trying to prepare us for the test?

Challenge: Today, listen! Really listen to God and what He is saying to you and trying to teach you. Keep notes! When the test comes, you can be ready

REVIEW

Were you listening to God today? What was He trying to teach you today?


How did this impact your day?