Life long listening is an invaluable gift. I unfortunately like to do things my way and that doesn’t always include listening; I can be more of an “I did it my way” girl. Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” Unlike me, Christ not only listened but also sought out daily the will of the Father. I’m pretty sure he had to listen for that, which makes me question myself, “Bab’s are you listening for God’s voice at every turn, in every way possible?” Listening via the scriptures, through the pastor, in prayer and in the words of the God-fearing people around me?
In Proverbs 1:33 scripture talks about listening yielding safety and being at ease. In John 10:27 Christ say, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Finally Matthew 11:30 says, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." If I put all those verses into the Babbles Blender what I get for a protein shake is: listening to his voice entails picking up and choosing Christ’s yoke and this burden or yoke will bring me into a safe place. Let me blend it one more time: my burden or my job is to listen to Christ, as I listen or work with him, he leads me in a way that is just the right load upon my body, mind and spirit. This working out with Christ produces a healthy Babs that is both safe in Christ and safe to the world around her.
A few months ago I decided to run in a race, as I ran a few times a week already. Being the visionary that I am, I thought it wise to start with a short distance like 26.2 miles. I ran the idea past my mom and she countered with a 5K distance, which I met with a frown and the quick offer of a half marathon instead. When she didn’t budge I tried selling the idea of a 10K but it was not to be. With my vision shifted slightly, I listened to her reasoning’s and focused on the glorious 5K.
I was a bit embarrassed at first about my much-shorter-than-26.2-miles-5K, my pride really wanted to try that longer distance. In the end I froze to death, got a terrible side cramp and loved every minute of my 5K race. I didn’t check an experience off my list; I added a passion for the sport of running to my life, one I pray God will use. Listening adds value to life you didn’t see before, it causes us to engage with the people around us and through the words of God and his children we start to see life as he intended it to be.
Luv Ya!
Babbles
