This Is the Way, Walk In It
I wish I could say that listening to God, or even knowing what it means, were a part of my "long" history. Rather, it's an area I'm growing in, and I also see it as a potential area for growth in many of the people I serve.
I Got This!
We humans often subscribe to the notion that we can handle most of the details in life. We rarely ask for help from anyone, let alone God. Why? Maybe
Walk This Way
This is especially true in our relationship with God. We function best when we include Him in our daily activities by talking with Him about everything we do. This is what relationship is for, right?
If you don't already experience a closeness with God, I'd first recommend practicing His presence. Chances are, you already have a "head knowledge" that His is always with you, but it may not seem real to you. In every instance where we want to form a new habit, practice is required. Over time and repetition, we gradually embrace a new belief and begin to live in that truth. God will become more and more real to us as we remind ourselves often that He is with us.
Before You Gang-Way
Another way to "practice the presence of God" is to stop yourself before hauling off to "take care" of something, especially if you are emotionally charged. Ask God what He thinks, and what He wants you to do. Perhaps He wants to do it for you! Listen carefully to His answer. Perhaps He will bring a scripture to mind that answers your question. Perhaps He will introduce a new thought ("go this way, not that way"). Perhaps He will purposely wait to answer, indicating that you should wait, too.
Have you considered praying multiple times a day to garner God's input? I'm learning that this lifestyle makes my days much, much more productive as He streamlines my work. I also live with fewer regrets over "jumping the gun". Believe me, this exercise of asking God first builds patience, but it also brings a large degree of calm and peace because I acknowledge that I'm not in charge. God is. The more I rely on His direction, the more He builds my faith.
Following His Lead
Isaiah 30 tells of God's compassion toward His people in the midst of their rebellion. Consistent with His character as shown in the Psalms, God hears their cries for help, as in this excerpt of verses 19 and 20:
"He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. . . And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
God is always willing to intervene on the behalf of His people when they call to Him, desiring His help. Here's another example from 2 Samuel 5:24 of God's gracious help in the middle of a strategic battle:
"And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines."
This Way!
We are never left alone to figure things out for ourselves. All we need is consultation from our Real Daddy to receive the help He wants to provide. The way is simple: ask and listen.
Subscribe to weekly articles HERE. Your Info will never be shared.
©2023 Julianne Knapp. First Published 1.31.23
I Got This!
We humans often subscribe to the notion that we can handle most of the details in life. We rarely ask for help from anyone, let alone God. Why? Maybe
- asking for help makes us feel weak and helpless
- we want to "manage" what others think of us
- we feel out of control when we can't accomplish something on our own
- while we say we "don't want to inconvenience" anyone, we really want to take credit for doing something ourselves
- we are afraid of relationship
Walk This Way
This is especially true in our relationship with God. We function best when we include Him in our daily activities by talking with Him about everything we do. This is what relationship is for, right?
If you don't already experience a closeness with God, I'd first recommend practicing His presence. Chances are, you already have a "head knowledge" that His is always with you, but it may not seem real to you. In every instance where we want to form a new habit, practice is required. Over time and repetition, we gradually embrace a new belief and begin to live in that truth. God will become more and more real to us as we remind ourselves often that He is with us.
Before You Gang-Way
Another way to "practice the presence of God" is to stop yourself before hauling off to "take care" of something, especially if you are emotionally charged. Ask God what He thinks, and what He wants you to do. Perhaps He wants to do it for you! Listen carefully to His answer. Perhaps He will bring a scripture to mind that answers your question. Perhaps He will introduce a new thought ("go this way, not that way"). Perhaps He will purposely wait to answer, indicating that you should wait, too.
Have you considered praying multiple times a day to garner God's input? I'm learning that this lifestyle makes my days much, much more productive as He streamlines my work. I also live with fewer regrets over "jumping the gun". Believe me, this exercise of asking God first builds patience, but it also brings a large degree of calm and peace because I acknowledge that I'm not in charge. God is. The more I rely on His direction, the more He builds my faith.
Following His Lead
Isaiah 30 tells of God's compassion toward His people in the midst of their rebellion. Consistent with His character as shown in the Psalms, God hears their cries for help, as in this excerpt of verses 19 and 20:
"He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. . . And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
God is always willing to intervene on the behalf of His people when they call to Him, desiring His help. Here's another example from 2 Samuel 5:24 of God's gracious help in the middle of a strategic battle:
"And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines."
This Way!
We are never left alone to figure things out for ourselves. All we need is consultation from our Real Daddy to receive the help He wants to provide. The way is simple: ask and listen.
Subscribe to weekly articles HERE. Your Info will never be shared.
©2023 Julianne Knapp. First Published 1.31.23