Psalm 119:17-24
Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road. Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders. I’m a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions.
My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!—insatiable for your nourishing commands. And those who think they know so much, ignoring everything you tell them—let them have it! Don’t let them mock and humiliate me;
I’ve been careful to do just what you said. While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me, I’m absorbed in pondering your wise counsel. Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight; I listen to them as to good neighbors!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
We recently watched the Golden Globe Awards program…partly in an attempt to get some ideas for movies and television series that might interest us. There were several nominated productions that left us looking at each other and saying, “I don’t think so.” One was a mini-series that we had already tried and found so violent and depressing we could barely make it through the first episode. Another we tried was simply uninteresting. While recommended and heralded by some, these were not for us.
Just because someone recommends a movie or television series doesn’t mean that we will like it – or that we have to watch it. We have the capability of deciding for ourselves what is right – and enjoyable – and we don’t have to listen to the opinions of others. In much the same way, we get a lot of opinions and ideas from others… our “neighbors,” if you will… about how we should live, what we should think, who we should support with our vote and our allegiance, and how we should spend our time and our money. But this doesn’t mean we have to listen to – much less heed – these opinions.
The pressure can be pretty strong at times… you may feel like an outsider if you don’t agree on certain issues with those in your social circle, your class, your neighborhood, your family, or even your church! But sometimes our heads and our hearts don’t align… times when God tells us (through scripture, prayer and meditation) that we should feel one way… and people tell us something different. These are the times that we must rely on God’s strength. When we feel that God is giving us good counsel, we need to trust Him… not cave to the influence of others.
If we rent a movie or mini-series that someone recommends, and we don’t like it, we’ve not suffered a great loss. But in many instances where we allow the advice of others to influence us without first conferring with God, we put ourselves – and possibly those in OUR circle of influence – at great risk. We need to be hungry… ravenous… for the commands of God. We need to learn to rely on Him for answers both large and small… to keep our eyes squarely focused on the path toward our Heavenly Father. His directions are clear… His voice is readily detectable… His words are true – if only we will pay attention.
Are you listening? Are you watching? Do you depend on God for answers… and do you rely on His strength when He leads you down difficult paths? Have you learned to fully trust Him… to believe that what God commands is always right? Isn’t it time you began to fully operate in His wisdom… and to seek His counsel over all other? Will this be the day you choose to do exactly that?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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