TIME AND COURAGE TO PONDER

When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies.  Psalm 119:59

It is one thing to say I love God’s ways and will follow them for the rest of my life but another thing entirely to consider the ways my beliefs and actions betray God’s ways.  There are always the obvious sins but what about the subtle ways I neglect doing what Christ would do in my situation?

To consider my ways takes courage.  It means taking the time to ponder.  Just this morning, I am thinking back over my life and looking at places where fear took root.  Fear of speaking up, fear of causing ripples in relationships, fear rooted in a childhood command to be ‘seen and not heard.’  It is easy for few to really know what I think.  I am not prone to offer my thoughts when they aren’t solicited.

What happens when a fearful person keeps silent?  My feet are turned away from God’s testimonies. Jesus, who wants to live through me and speak truth through me, is grieved and silenced.  So today, when I think on my ways, I see a need for improvement.  I often quench the Spirit.

When God births a spokesman, Satan immediately sets up painful scenarios to shut the mouth of the prophet.  Criticism, correction, rejection, all of these can cause the ‘would-be-spokesman’ to cup his hand over his mouth.  What will open it?  Heeding Jesus’ many commands of “Fear not!”  Most of the time, what I fear is always far worse than what will really transpire.  Satan’s video is a mirage of lies.  Obedience to speak God’s words brings the blessing of peace.  If not external peace, certainly internal calm and well-being.

I will make my life about pondering, course corrections, and submission to your ways.  Amen