Read His Words Before Ours!
John 14:1-7
Matthew 7:13-14
Jeremiah 14:14-16
2 Timothy 4:3-4
Roads, Day 15
“God, HELP me! Why can’t I HEAR You?!”
Angry tears filled my eyes and I swallowed hard, slamming towels into the washing machine so quickly they tangled into a big wad. Shrieks reached my ears as I wrestled with the laundry, and in my frustration, I slammed my little toe into the dryer as I turned to shush my two oldest so they wouldn’t wake their sleeping little brother.
I’d be lying if I said an unpleasant word didn’t hiss across my lips. (Sorry, but it’s truth…and I’ll bet if you are being honest, you might be able to relate.)
“You aren’t listening, Love. Your attention is divided.”
His gentle nudge in my spirit sparked fresh tears. He was right.
It had been a long day week year. The temperature outside was frigid, and with three little ones under four, I could count on one hand the number of days when every person in our little tribe had been healthy… in over two months.
I loved being a wife and mama, but between those two most important roles, the demands of my growing business, various ministry commitments, a part time job, and maintaining family relationships, I found myself incapable of focusing on a single task (or person) for even a few minutes. I couldn’t give 100% to anyone or anything.
I was tapped out. Emotionally. Mentally. Spiritually.
And truth? I was pretty angry with myself…and maybe at God a little, too.
I couldn’t understand why He seemed so silent through everything.
I was reading my Bible.
I spent time in prayer and worship.
But, for a while now, He had seemed… uncharacteristically quiet.
Having experienced the loss of our first daughter and His supernatural peace and comfort through that time a few years prior, I was frustrated that such seemingly trivial issues affected me like this. …and that He wasn’t showing up as I expected.
His soft correction was on point.
I had been so busy juggling ALL OF THE THINGS,
that nothing and no one was getting the best, or even most, of me.
Have you been there, Sister? Are you there?
So overwhelmed that you just… can’t?
And here’s the million dollar question, Love.
Looking past all of that, are you still 100% committed to following Christ?
Through the mundane as well as the mountains?
A while back, a friend and I were somewhat casually discussing faith and eternity.
As our discourse turned to another religious perspective that was outside biblical salvation by grace through faith, my friend asserted,
“Well, whatever makes them happy.
As long as it isn’t hurting anyone, what’s the harm, right?”
Stunned, I said nothing, and as she changed topics, the moment was lost.
What’s the harm, right?
Her words still echo in my mind.
How I wish I had spoken truth in love to her at that moment.
I wish I’d told her the harm has eternal ramifications.
I wish I’d told her the harm is that, as Christ followers, we know there is only one road which assures salvation for eternity.
There is only one road holding the hope of a future which far outshines our sin-stained past. There is only one road offering us healing and forgiveness, righteousness, and adoption into God’s family.
One narrow road, and His name is Jesus.
Not our own righteousness,
nor how we think we should act or be,
nor any other thing, but JESUS.
Are we willing to receive some challenge today, Loves?
This is not a popular truth to tell in this day and age.
We live in a world where “live and let live,” and “do whatever makes you happy” rules.
Comfort is king.
While we are encouraged to “speak our truth,” those who shout this mantra the loudest,
are often the first to hush us when THE Truth is what we speak.
Just like my own failure to speak truth in the moment Holy Spirit provided with my friend, many of us fail to give 100% to the people He has placed in our circles.
Look, I get it.
Living our beliefs out there for the world to see in real life is HARD.
It’s much, much easier to stay in our little Sunday bubble and post faith-influenced social media status updates once or twice a week and never actually get in the dirt to love the people He has tasked us to love.
But…what about that mimics the Christ we profess to believe in, love and follow?
As followers of Christ and daughters of God…
We know we are heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven.
We know this world is not our home.
But we also know we are tasked to bring His Kingdom here… which includes sharing the truth in love with whomever God places in our path.
These opportunities to share are the most important part
of our journey as we travel the road Home. (read: Heaven)
No, not preaching on every corner or issuing condemnation and judgement.
It isn’t a “one and done” kind of deal.
Rather, we are challenged to actively love others, continually and invitationally.
Invite them into our lives and homes and hearts.
Invite them into our community and demonstrate Christ’s love in word, action and deed.
Build real relationships so when Holy Spirit prompts us to speak the truth in love,
we can do it with grace.
When we commit to giving our whole attention and focus to whatever He hands us, we free ourselves to be obedient and experience His fullness.
Even in the mountains and the mundane.
THIS is our purpose, our calling, and our joy!
To live out this Gospel as we travel the road Home!
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