What Do I Do Now?

-


Have you and a friend ever watched a mystery show and as soon as a clue is revealed they start asking a million questions and end up talking over the explanation given by the characters? Or how about this: have you been in a classroom where the teacher tells her students to "get out your books, turn to this page, and then I will give you instructions on what to do next," only to watch most students shoot their hands up as soon as their book is open to ask what they are supposed to do? *Insert exasperated harumph from teacher here.*

Our pastors' latest series, "Majoring on the Minors," is taking us through the minor prophets. It's been a fun and revealing look into humanity, especially myself. The "doom and gloom" of the destruction that awaits followed by the resolution to praise God and trust His direction. I was reading through Zephaniah and came upon a few verses that stood out in an unusual way, or rather, not in the "doom and gloom" warning tone of the prophets.

God speaks of how He will destroy "...those who turn back from following the Lord and neither seek the Lord nor inquire of him. Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near." (Zeph 1:6-7)

I know, I know. That doesn't sound different from the "doom and gloom" message and technically, it's not but when I read it, I saw it as if those were the attributes God was looking for. We are to seek Him. We are to ask him questions. We are to be silent in His presence.

Looking for God is powerful. When I look, He is there. Sometimes blatantly, through a sign that's just between Him and me. Sometimes it's more covert, more like a feeling of Him being near. It usually depends on what I need at the moment. He tailors His interactions to my needs.... not my desires. 

He wants to be found.

I always get antsy when I ask God questions. I feel needy and like a burden that God shouldn't have to deal with. But asking questions of God is okay. Even in a teacher's exasperation, they are usually keen to help the students because those little minds are wanting to learn more. How else can they gain knowledge? Asking God questions is how I will learn, and is a great way to keep the dialogue going between us. 

He wants to hear what we think, need, feel.

Answers come, if we ask... but only if we also listen. "Be Silent." Silence is something I love. It is restful and revealing. It allows me to hear nature and creates peace for me. Quiet stills my soul so that I can listen. "He leads me beside the still waters; He restores my soul." 

He wants me to hear Him.

So, next time you want to blow your top because someone spoke before they thought, remember that it is something we are all learning. To seek, to ask, and to listen.

Comments

Tammy said…
Absolutely yes!
3:53 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Little Princess

-
This past weekend was the famed “Nutcracker Weekend” for Kayla and her daddy. They left Friday afternoon for Seattle and a beautiful hotel room overlooking the city. She spent most of the week getting all worked up about it. As part of the tradition, Scott and she had a date night earlier in the week to shop for her dress, shoes, accessories, you name it. They arrived at the hotel, hung out and watched a movie and then they were off to Benihana’s for dinner. What a crack up! She and a few of her friends and their dads lit up the place with their giggles and smiles. I can imagine it was quite a sight to see this bunch of grown men with their little princesses. Back at their room, Kayla and Scott had an arrangement. Kayla got to eat candies and watch a bunch of movies while Scott slept. At the end of each movie (you know, the 20 minute cartoon movies) she would come and tap dad, asking for another one. He would oblige and promptly doze off again. The next morning was filled with more fun...
Read more
-
I wonder... what did I want to be when I grew up? I don't remember too much and mom could probably shed some interesting, if not shameful light on the subject but what did I want to become? An air force pilot? A ballerina? A muscle-lady, as my daughter calls professional body building women? Maybe a teacher. Could it be that I really wanted to be a mom all my life and now I am one? That's too easy. I've had this feeling that there was something more out there for me to do but I just couldn't nail it down. Church always told me that I had to have a ministry, as if my life wasn't full enough without it. Ok, so then who do I minister to? People get along just fine without me so it seems silly to interject myself into their lives for my own self-fulfillment. So, back to my question... what do I want to be when I grow up? Maybe the question should be what does God want me to be? I am a mom and that's a huge job all on it's own. Teach them to walk, talk, love, eat...
Read more

It's All Colton's Fault...

-
This is most likely for all you moms and grandmas to enjoy laughing at me, the one who did this to you. For the life of me I've been trying to figure out why I haven't been able to keep up with my household chores the last few months. I am usually able to work, do the bills, pick up the house, clean the bathrooms (HAH!), do the laundry from start to finish , keep the kids entertained, and do the dishes (although, that is something my hubby has said he would do for me but doesn't do until my head explodes or there's no more counter space... which is pretty incredible considering the amount of counter space we have. (I love you, Sweetie :) )). Lately, I can't tell if anything is actually getting done without great efforts to dig out from under the pile of whatever it is! A usual day's routine is to get everyone ready and out the door to take Kayla to school and then take jr. to the store for groceries or to run whatever errand needs to be run. I return in time to ...
Read more