When I was on my way home in the train, I was observing this two-year old boy. He was playing with his father. I could also tell that he was testing a few things with his dad as in whether he could get away with them by going against his father's instructions or wishes.
Whenever this boy did something right, the father would smile and give him a pat on the head. Each time he did something wrong and displeasing, his dad would ask the boy to open his palm and he would give him a gentle smack. After that the father would explain to him what is the right thing to do.
Of course the boy did not almost immediately understand what his father was teaching him. Over time, he will learn and do the right thing though. This can only happen when he listens to his father, who bothered to lead and guide. It also happens because there is a relationship between the two individuals.
The above incident reminded me of what my accountability group members were sharing earlier when we met to fellowship over dinner, as in how sometimes we struggle to read God's Word - not having the desire to do so. The group is trying to help each other to read the Bible as that is God's spoken Word in writing. If we do not read, how would we know then to lead our lives in a manner pleasing in God's sight and also as a testimony to those around us?
God took the effort to give us His Word so that it serves as a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path. How would we know God better if we do not read about Him? If one does not have the desire to read His Word, it speaks a lot about the individual's relationship with God and also the pursuits of his life on this earth.
It is sad to see many Christians living their walk without the light before them. Sometimes I falter in this area too. We justify that we spend time daily in prayer but what is the point of speaking to God when we do not even know what He would be speaking to us in reply to our requests made? There are many ways God speaks - there is no doubt about that but I know most of the time, it is through His Word that we know the answers to our prayers.
The Word is sharper than any two-edged sword but most of the time, what a Christian carries in his hand is a weapon of destruction, not against evil principalities and sins but instead it is capable only in destroying his own life and others - that weapon is called human wisdom and understanding. We always think we know best when in actual fact, we are clueless about life - hence we are always experimenting. Why waste time and hurt ourselves doing that when the Word already gives clear instructions as to how we can live life to the fullest?
Have we also considered using the Word to bless the lives of others? This thought just came as I was typing the above paragraph. Yes, sometimes reading a Bible passage may not be applicable to us at that particular point of time but it may speak to another whose life is going through a time of crisis or discouragement or loss or pain/hurt or uncertainty or struggle. Use it to touch that person. Doing so will cause the both parties to see the power of the Word in action!
As I am writing all of the above-mentioned, I am also kicking myself in the butt to wake up my ideas.
Well, who do we choose to listen - God's voice or ours?
I played with the boy towards the last few stations before mine. A cute lad. Sometimes he seemed all set to run out of the train each time it reached a station but he knew it was the wrong thing to do and he did not. He then looked at parents and me, giggled and continued with his hide-and-seek game with me. Guess where he was hiding? Behind the metal bars in the middle of the train carriage. When I was about to alight, he said bye and I returned it with a wave and a smile. Thanks be to God for that boy.
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
"My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." Proverbs 3:11-12
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Whenever this boy did something right, the father would smile and give him a pat on the head. Each time he did something wrong and displeasing, his dad would ask the boy to open his palm and he would give him a gentle smack. After that the father would explain to him what is the right thing to do.
Of course the boy did not almost immediately understand what his father was teaching him. Over time, he will learn and do the right thing though. This can only happen when he listens to his father, who bothered to lead and guide. It also happens because there is a relationship between the two individuals.
The above incident reminded me of what my accountability group members were sharing earlier when we met to fellowship over dinner, as in how sometimes we struggle to read God's Word - not having the desire to do so. The group is trying to help each other to read the Bible as that is God's spoken Word in writing. If we do not read, how would we know then to lead our lives in a manner pleasing in God's sight and also as a testimony to those around us?
God took the effort to give us His Word so that it serves as a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path. How would we know God better if we do not read about Him? If one does not have the desire to read His Word, it speaks a lot about the individual's relationship with God and also the pursuits of his life on this earth.
It is sad to see many Christians living their walk without the light before them. Sometimes I falter in this area too. We justify that we spend time daily in prayer but what is the point of speaking to God when we do not even know what He would be speaking to us in reply to our requests made? There are many ways God speaks - there is no doubt about that but I know most of the time, it is through His Word that we know the answers to our prayers.
The Word is sharper than any two-edged sword but most of the time, what a Christian carries in his hand is a weapon of destruction, not against evil principalities and sins but instead it is capable only in destroying his own life and others - that weapon is called human wisdom and understanding. We always think we know best when in actual fact, we are clueless about life - hence we are always experimenting. Why waste time and hurt ourselves doing that when the Word already gives clear instructions as to how we can live life to the fullest?
Have we also considered using the Word to bless the lives of others? This thought just came as I was typing the above paragraph. Yes, sometimes reading a Bible passage may not be applicable to us at that particular point of time but it may speak to another whose life is going through a time of crisis or discouragement or loss or pain/hurt or uncertainty or struggle. Use it to touch that person. Doing so will cause the both parties to see the power of the Word in action!
As I am writing all of the above-mentioned, I am also kicking myself in the butt to wake up my ideas.
Well, who do we choose to listen - God's voice or ours?
I played with the boy towards the last few stations before mine. A cute lad. Sometimes he seemed all set to run out of the train each time it reached a station but he knew it was the wrong thing to do and he did not. He then looked at parents and me, giggled and continued with his hide-and-seek game with me. Guess where he was hiding? Behind the metal bars in the middle of the train carriage. When I was about to alight, he said bye and I returned it with a wave and a smile. Thanks be to God for that boy.
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
"My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." Proverbs 3:11-12
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
No comments:
Post a Comment