MAKING MUCH OF EVERY WORD

Do not despise prophetic utterances.  But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.  I Thess. 5:20-21

Another translation puts it this way.  “Do not think little of God’s words.” How might I show God that what He says means little to me?  When I hear His words but go and do the opposite of what He said.  When, after hearing, I close the Word and never give them another thought all day.

I consider how I delight in honoring the words of those I love.  My son, Ryan, has let me know that he loves a certain chocolate torte.  His Grandma made it for him every year on his birthday.  Knowing how much he treasures the memories of her, I enjoy keeping her memory alive and making it for him when his birthday comes.

My daughter Jaime loves the Fall, loves to walk into our home and smell mulled cider and ‘pumpkin anything’.  It reminds her of our New England upbringing.  Do I carry that in the back of my mind, enjoying the thought of surprising her when Autumn comes around?  Absolutely.

Jesus’ words live in me, too.  He has revealed what He loves, hates, and what is important to Him.  While I may not have seen His face as He said them, I perceive the importance of them by the Spirit who rises up in me as I review them.  Yet, I consider how many times I have sifted His words into two categories.  “What I’ll obey.” And, “What I’ll ignore.” Turning a deaf ear is spurning the disclosures of His heart.

I’m in a different place now, by God’s grace.  If Jesus said it, I embrace it.  Whether or not it feels important to me, or is instantly desirable is not the issue.  If he declares that something is good for me, I move towards it.  He knows me.  I do not know myself as He does.

If He tells me to stay away from a certain activity, one that appears harmless enough to me, I take His Word for it.  I know I can’t trust my own rudder.

Like a lover who hangs on every word, I give Christ the full attention of my heart.  I fully invest in every Word He speaks.

I vow to be a good listener in our intimate relationship, then get up and show you that what You said is important.  Amen