Listening and Doing

Last night as I sat and listened to myself tell my beloved three year-old, Katie, three times to go and put her clothes back on as we were to have company in a while (it seems these days, that is the way to go around the house, either just in her panties or her birthday suit...LOL). I then told her, "First time, everytime, Katie." She then looked at me straight in the eyes and yelled, "First time, everytime!!" and then soon after dressed herself.

I pondered those words this morning and thought why is it that when God says something to us we may listen (pay attention to His words), but we don't always do (perform or execute) them. Why is it that my expectations of Katie are one thing, yet many times when God says the same thing to me, I conduct myself as my three year-old does? And at THAT I expect God to move on my behalf and make the mountains of opposition disappear. I thought to myself, "how self-centered is that!"

James, Jesus' brother, wrote, "But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. (James 1:22-25)

Sometimes it is so easy for us to be passive and not be a "doer" because doing takes effort and faith on our part. There are many a times that I have been just that, a passive listener, only to later figure out if I would have done it "first time, everytime" I would have bore so many more blessings and fruit. Honestly, it has been in the times that push came to shove, that I have grown more in my spiritual walk with the Lord. I have come to know that when I am obedient to my Father God, it is for my own benefit and the benefit of others (this blog is a testament to this). My heart is to simply desire to please Him, knowing that He loves me unconditionally.

Today, listen to that still small voice inside of you, step forward in faith...even though the path that you are going isn't clear...and watch as God moves in your life and the life of others because you were a "doer" of His Word.