Before We Get on the Bus

July 3

Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

Proverbs 8:33

“Can I ask you something, Rueben?” Holly asked. “What do you do for devotions? Which books do you use and what do you consider to be the most important part?”

He said without hesitation, “For me, it’s not which books as much as it is spending time with God each morning, Holly. Don’t get me wrong; books are good, but He enjoys spending time with me. And I’ve found He’s always ready to listen or talk. 

"He loves having input in my day. Let me ask you a question,” he said, turning the tables. “When your children were in grade school, did you expect them to get themselves up each morning and get ready for school? 

'Did you want them to fix their own breakfast and make sure they had their lunches packed and didn’t miss the bus so you could sleep? Did you care who they got a ride home with if they’d had an after school activity? 

"The truth is that in the same way you wanted to be involved in your children’s lives, God wants to take an active role in yours. He wants to hear what happened yesterday at work and how you feel about today. He’s a hands-on kind of parent. 

"Before we get on the bus, He’d like to have breakfast with us and send us on our way with wisdom and a hug. But it’s our choice.”

†

Spending time with God is not mandatory. He will not force us to listen to wise counsel that would benefit us throughout the course of events we will face today. 

Nor will He lean on us with instruction, regardless of the fact it may save us untold grief or unnecessary detours. He has given us the freedom to share as much of our lives with Him as we wish in whatever capacity we choose.

God knows relationships cannot be forced. He understands we can’t hear what He has to say unless we listen willingly. We would be wise to seek His instruction on a daily basis.

Prayer

“Create in me a hunger to meet with You, Lord. Help me become wise enough to seek Your instruction daily. Then help me learn to listen to what You say. Amen.”

 The Benefactor

July 2

They gave to anyone as he had need.

Acts 2:45

Deon had been injured ten months ago in an industrial accident but had received no financial compensation due to his employer’s continued appeals. They held that Deon’s own negligence had caused his injuries.

Rubber mill rollers had snagged his shirttail, pulling him toward certain death. Deon had resisted until the shirt ripped from his body. Most of the soft tissue in his back and rib cage suffered extensive trauma. He would be off work for an extended period of time. It seemed the worst injury was that he wasn’t going to receive any financial assistance.

Ten months with no income had depleted their savings, as well as their children’s college fund. They had hoped worker’s compensation would restore at least the fund. Now it appeared that wasn’t going to happen.

One morning in prayer, Deon sensed God say, “I am sending a benefactor.” So Deon and his wife looked up the definition of benefactor: one who bestows a gift.

They agreed this seemed a bit far-fetched, yet prayed and continued to trust God for their welfare.

Two weeks later, in the midst of foreclosure on the house, an anonymous donor provided a large check earmarked for their mortgage. Over the next six months, checks sufficient to cover expenses showed up in their account. They would never discover who their benefactor was, but they never stopped asking God to bless their anonymous supporter.

†

What a tremendous modern-day demonstration of today’s text—God using His children to meet some of His other children’s needs! In this same situation, would we give out of our abundance or even believe for the benefactor?

Believing God in the lean times does not come natural. It requires faith that He exists, that He cares, that He can do all things, and that He will always act in our best interest.

If He asked for all our earthly possessions, would our salvation through Christ Jesus be enough? Trusting God in times of plenty is not remarkable.

Job said, “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in him.” Would we echo Job’s sentiment?

Prayer

“Teach me how to trust You, Lord. When I get discouraged, show me that You’re there. May I come to know that You are my true benefactor. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 The Art of Listening

July 1

Listen to advice and accept instruction.

Proverbs 19:20

Gary’s patience was being tested. His young trainee continually interrupted his instruction, trying to finish Gary’s sentences. Yet each time he spoke out of turn, he found himself embarrassed as Gary showed him the error in his assumptions.

“Look, Bobby, I know you’re intelligent,” Gary began. “But every time you interrupt, you display an inability to listen to instruction, and you extend the length of this training session. Please listen and hold your responses and questions until we complete each phase. All right?”

“I’m sorry, sir. I just get kinda nervous in these situations. I want you to know I’ll be able to handle whatever you give me to do. I don’t want to upset you. I really want this job and want to impress you. I guess that was a crash and burn effort.”

“Look, Bobby,” Gary confided, “we don’t mind training someone who is willing to learn. That type of person takes instruction well. And that’s who we’re looking for.”

“I understand. If I promise to listen, will you give me another chance?” he asked, his countenance showing he meant what he said.

Gary was sensitive to the young man’s uneasiness. “Sure, Bobby. It’s understandable that you’re a little bit nervous. But in the future … I suggest you train yourself to listen. You’ll learn a lot more.”

†

Listening is a discipline. Bobby is not unique. We’ve all spoken out of turn only to find out we were wrong. It’s easy to want to showcase our experience. But in our eagerness to succeed, we can speak when we should be listening. A willingness to show ourselves teachable is far more attractive than continually trying to outguess or impress someone.

Active listening is the art of controlling our emotions and our tongue, trading our silence for knowledge we might not possess. Failure to listen robs us of vital knowledge that may benefit us in the future. It also shows us as immature and impulsive. It is better for us to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open our mouths and confirm it.

Prayer

“Help me learn to listen, Lord. Still my tongue and open the ears of my heart. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”