Fifteen years later, Jasmine reminded me of my elephantal resemblance. I don't take the time to listen. I'm impatiently pushing and striving and aiming to get to the next place quicker, faster, and smarter. B, you just need to stop. You want to run, but you need to listen to the directions, she gently said. God will show you where you need to be, but until He does, just wait and listen.
Um, when did SHE become the holy one? That was always MY role in our relationship (I'm kidding, Jas... well, half kidding). When I hung up the phone, I immediately thought of my self-imposed mantra stolen from Psalm 46:10, Be still and know that I am God. I'm asking for directions, but I'm not taking the time to listen.
Am I the only one? What are the things you're asking for, yet not listening for answers? We all have them... don't make me feel like the elephant in the room!
31 comments:
so glad that i am not the only one who deosn't wait and listen...i do try (really I do), but then time passes and i feel like i hear nothing so then my mind starts going until there might be choices to make and then i find myself at the same spot.."what do I do?" I know I want to be in God's will...but when oh when will He tell me what it is? I love the verse you put in there,"Be still and know that I am God"...such a straight forward answer yet soooo hard to do, especially when we have our own ideas and wishes for our lives...i love it that you expose yourself and show that you are just like all of us...it is very encouraging and real...thanks!
Nope, I keep thinking, well maybe that's not what I'm supposed to do since God hasn't answered me. So I look into something else.
Then the Lord reminds me... I am waiting to see how patient you can be, and if you really TRUST me.
It's like a stab in the chest every time. I feel all high and mighty because I give my situation to Him, yet I take it back if I don't get a timely response.
I need to sit and listen. You're not the only one.... Believe
I'm questioning what I need to be doing with my life. I'm heading into my 30s and I want to know where I'm suppose to be going.
I trust God. Really, I do. But it's so hard to make decisions when I don't "hear" anything.
Thank you for sharing. I LOVE this blog!
HAHAHAHAHA!!! I'm the HOLY TWIN today! Big ups for me! I made God proud and I get an extra jewel on my crown! HOLLLLA!
HA! I hear the things I don't want to hear. Like "You need to stop and look at what you've got and not what you think you're missing." I tend to hear, but squash it. Yeah, that's me: Annie "I don't wanna! You can't make me!" Henson. ;0) Is there a support group for that? {haha}
At least the elephant always came back.
And eventually he got it right.
I think Im the elephant sometimes too... next time I'll get it right ;)
Hmm, What am I asking for? I want to know if I should truly be following the path of photography or am I being delusional. I want to know what we are supposed to learn from my husband loosing his job almost 4 months ago. I want to know that my kids won't run off screaming as soon as they are old enough, like I did. I want to know if I am causing them permanent damage. I want to know that everything really is going to be ok.
I want to be patient and truly know that everything happens for a reason and that the reason will be revealed to me when it is supposed to.
I want to hear the answers, but I am scared I do not know how to hear them. I want a big, strong, booming voice to say "Brooke, THIS is what you are supposed to do or the path you are supposed to take."
Have you been reading my journal this week????
Christy: I don't want to expose myself, but if I don't, then I'm nothing more than a hypocrite :( Thank you for accepting me as broken and faithless as I am.
Christina: I'm SO happy you're blogging! Keep up the good work and enjoy the snow ;)
Jenn: You're not alone. I call it a quarter-life crisis of questioning life's purpose and meaning. The truth is that whether you have a relationship with the Lord or not, you're still going to have to face these questions. You're not alone!
Jas: You're the bestest evah!
Annie: Yes, the support group is held once a year in Spokane and it's around a table with Taboo and tacos. Just letting you know now...
DA: Ha! I never thought of that!!! He DID come back. So awesome.
Mommaloo: The tough part is the silence, right? But ever so softly (in ways I can't explain), wisdom comes in droplets. Hang in there. Unfortunately, most of the time, direction is in retrospect. I NEVER have heard a voice (though some have) to tell me what to do and I get frustrated. But we NEED to take the first step and trust the Lord will shut the door if it's not His will. Girl, I'm praying for you!!!
Amy: Yes, I read your diary everyday ;) Just kidding. Nah, it just means that we're normal if we're going through similar situations.
Are you sure WE aren't twins instead?
Sign me up for the Spokane Support Group!! ;)
The Lord will show you through His Word and what He is telling you deep in your heart. :)
I didnt know you were a twin. Thats all :) Now I understand your fear of having children, your odds are pretty good for twins yourself, right? IMHO twins are awesome 2 for one, you get ur body back after one pregnancy and your kids have a play mate for life.
That was the cutest elephant - so hugable like you B!
I never listen. Ever. Always jump in feet first and learn the hard way. Need to work harder on the listening thing me thinks!!
Kayla: You're a red head and I'm a brunette and outweigh you by 70 pounds. It's like Danny DeVito and Arnold S in the movie Twins!!!
Michelle: It's on!
*KS: Yes, I'm terrified of twins. It'll be retribution for the junk we put our mother through!!!
Allie: Hope the event last week went well. Next time tell me when you're free in advance so we can connect ;)
Beth: I know! I wish it weren't so. How's the wedding coming? ;)
I think for me its not only not listening, but now willing to be patient enough to learn. When I get an idea or a dream I want it to happen right then! And I work and work and do everything I can to make it happen, which can somtimes be a good thing, but other times I miss the waiting period where I am supposed to be learning and growing so I can be ready for what is to come. I have one focus and get totally caught up in it! haha...but with the more dreams God gives me, I seem to be getting a little better...you would think it wouldn't take a person so long to learn one stikin lesson! ha...thanks for sharing!
I think for me its not only not listening, but now willing to be patient enough to learn. When I get an idea or a dream I want it to happen right then! And I work and work and do everything I can to make it happen, which can somtimes be a good thing, but other times I miss the waiting period where I am supposed to be learning and growing so I can be ready for what is to come. I have one focus and get totally caught up in it! haha...but with the more dreams God gives me, I seem to be getting a little better...you would think it wouldn't take a person so long to learn one stikin lesson! ha...thanks for sharing!
Just recently found you... great blog. Great post. Thanks for this. I follow your sister on my other blog. Your message today brings tears to my eyes. I need to BE still and WAIT on the Lord as well. Blessings to you.
Good word and couldn't came at a better time then Christmas season! Be still and know I am God... mmm.. that is yummah! Ofcourse when you get the super busy body type, I think the being still part means having peace. Having peace and trusting God. Or maybe it does mean, hope in the straight jacket and make your mind focus on God? Either way I could use both interpretations hehe :)
*hop in the straight jacket... bahaha!
"God will show you where you need to be, but until He does, just wait and listen."
________________
Have you ever heard of sh*t in one hand and pray to God in the other and see which one fills up quicker?
Just saying......
God just might be the most evil hoax of all time created by churches to suck in fools to give their money too. It is always about money!
The hoax of "God" is a street hustlers attempt to prey on the weak and less fortunate in order to control them. The larger the army the more the money!
Just saying....
"God will show you where you need to be, but until He does, just wait and listen."
________________
Have you ever heard of sh*t in one hand and pray to God in the other and see which one fills up quicker?
Just saying......
God just might be the most evil hoax of all time created by churches to suck in fools to give their money too. It is always about money!
The hoax of "God" is a street hustlers attempt to prey on the weak and less fortunate in order to control them. The larger the army the more the money!
Just saying....
This is totally what I needed to hear right now. We get so used to the fast-tracked pace of life we forget that sometimes God needs us to wait for things, and to wait for Him.
Grow slow, grow strong!
Just Saying,
For real, I'm so glad you commented. I have heard of holding sh*t in one hand and praying in another and seriously, I'd rather pray. I'm a germophobe.
On behalf of all "Christians" I apologize about the deceitful things done in the name of God. There HAVE been wicked people, there ARE wicked people, and there WILL be wicked people who pander to innocent people.
I will say this however, there are some jacked up doctors who are lying to people to steal from them. They pander to the emotion of fear and capitalize on death. But there are other doctors who take their vow to honor life seriously. Some doctors travel the world to help heal the lame, blind, and dying--for free. Just because some doctors are shiesters, doesn't mean I'm losing faith in modern medicine.
The same goes for those who love Christ. I don't get paid squat to write. In fact, I've spoken at places for FREE if I know they can't afford it. Why? I take my vow to honor life seriously.
If you believe the "hoax" of God is for hustlers, Baby, I'm a hustla'!!! Fo' life! But I don't EVER nor will I EVER use the gospel of Jesus Christ to peddle dreams of prosperity. The only thing I will prostylze is the free gospel of Jesus Christ.
If you're in the LA area and would want to talk about Life (not Jesus), I'd take you out. Heck, I'd foot the bill. No joke. Email me at bianca@inthenameoflove.org.
I just saw this cartoon last week while watching Seasme Street with my youngest daughter and was laughing out loud at it. My husband came in to the living room to see what I was laughing at. :o)
Love the comparison to life. So true!
Oh Sweet Sister... my heart is with you.
This season may seem like waiting out in the ocean on a surfboard in the dawn's morning light. When no one else seems near and it seems like
Does one quivering cling to the board with our body as we wait nearly paralyzed with blaring questions of what the next wave will bring? Or do we conservatively adjust ourselves for the perfect wave and strengthen our muscles as we extend to balance in the awkward yet perfect stance. Or, do we courageously move, suppressing our anxiety, to be in position for to do what we've never done before... ride a bigger salty wave, do a special miraculous move or possibly take the risk of losing control under a tumultuous wave or the most challenging... face our fear of a wipe out.
(I'm not a surfer but this is how I recently explained my season of waiting to a friend of mine and somehow it was understood.)
I believe that the Lord is positioning you for HIS purpose and glory. I highly encourage you to spend some serious time in worship, word and prayer. Fulfill your part of "BE STILL" and know that I am God.
There may be temptation to seek "knowledge” ask the intellectuals or even question a gazillion times "Lord is this you?" or "Is this my flesh, the enemy or the world?"
Now for what I know to be faithful and true... GOD’s Word (I share scripture with you)
These are the scriptures I've been meditating upon before, during and after the week of prayer and fasting.
Jeremiah 33:2 “Thus says the LORD who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name): 3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
John 15:5 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
1 kings 6: 11 Then the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying: 12 “Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, execute My judgments, keep all My commandments, and walk in them, then I will perform My word with you, which I spoke to your father David.
20 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘ Peoples shall yet come, Inhabitants of many cities; 21 The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, “ Let us continue to go and pray before the LORD, And seek the LORD of hosts. I myself will go also.” 22 Yes, many peoples and strong nations Shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, And to pray before the LORD.’
Zechariah 8:23 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’”
Psalm32: 6 For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You
In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters
They shall not come near him.
7 You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.
Psalm 143:7-9
7 Answer me speedily, O LORD; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who go down into the pit. 8 Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. 9 Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; In You I take shelter.
2Kings 20:3-5 “Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD.
Isaiah 48:16-18
16 “ Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning;
From the time that it was, I was there. And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit
Have[a] sent Me.” 17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel:
“ I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go.
18 Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
Jeremiah 30:1-3 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2 “Thus speaks the LORD God of Israel, saying: ‘Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you. 3 For behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says the LORD. ‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.’”
Be Encouraged, Deb
@ Bianca,
Thanks for the reply in depth and not deleting my explorative comment on your current blog entry. It's respectable that you have the conviction to back up your words.
I'm a germaphobe too and to reply on insignificant debatable ideas would seem germy to me so, since, germy is yucky to both of us, I shall not on this one.
Have a wonderful week, and weekend, and we shall see if another topic of interest pops into your mind which I will reply too.
All my best...
Just Saying...
Hey Bianca, thanks for your ever- real style and reminder to actually listen for God's voice. We all can spend so much time talking that we actually forget to pause for more than a mere moment to actually hear God respond. Thanks for the encouragement! :)
Love your realness in Christ,
Nicole
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