ASK. LISTEN. OBEY.
Boom! Ask. I am very independent. I really don't like to ask help from others unless I have to. I don't really know where this comes from. Maybe society. We are expected to be Superheros; multi task, be masters of all things, and get everything right or we're punished for it in some way. Maybe it's just me… but this is impossible and absolutely exausting! I'm not Wonder Woman. I can't do everything all at the same time, be amazing at it, and get it all right. I'm not perfect. Only Jesus Christ is perfect! Demolition #4 ! I can't do everything by myself, but I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. I need to ask for help. I need to ask Jesus to walk along side me and trust that he is placing people and situations in my life for a reason. To help me, to teach me, to show me the path I'm supposed to walk. I need to also ask for help from those around me. Humble myself and just ask. I am continuously being suprised at how people will graciously help out when you are in need, specifically this week at training camp. People I barely know stopping everything they are doing to just be there for me? That's crazy! No, it's not!!! It's called being brothers and sisters in Christ and banding together and not letting anyone fall who needs help standing. Just simply… ask.
Boom! Listen. I always thought I was a good listener. I always had an open door for anyone to come to me and I would always be there to listen. This week I was shown there are two distinct differences in listening. 1: Just being there and 2: Actually listening. First, just being there. We've all had those converstations where we just zone out. We're there, but we're not really there. We don't really hear what's going on and our minds are flooded with other thoughts while the other person is talking. We're just there; we don't really listen. Second, actually listening. The converstaions where you are deeply invested and are compassionately listening. Hearing every bit of someones heart and coming along with them for the ride. You are there and you are allertly listening. Demoliton #5! God showed me this week that most of my life I have just been there. I haven't really been a good listener. I have a hard time slowing down and giving my time to listen to others. I zone out, my minds in other places. Along with this I believe that God is teaching me to listen to Him as well as others. For me to take the time, open my ears, and listen for his word. I'm still struggling with this! I don't know how to just simply fix it and turn my listening ears on. This first demolition and realization is just the start and I thank God for bringing it to the forefront.
Boom! Obey. Who doesn't want to do things their own way? I know I don't. I can remember way back when I was little I used to play with the other girls around our development and I would get mad if they didn't want to play my way. I would storm off crying or fight my way to the death until they finally agreed to play what I wanted. I have always liked doing things my own way! But sometimes that's not what God wants from me. He wants, in one word, obedience. From all of us! Demolition #6! No matter what's at stake or what it may take he wants obedience from me. I'm done doing things my own way. I'm ready to obey!
Coming into training camp I came up with this moto that I've been trying to follow. "Ask. Listen. Obey." Step one: Ask. Well, that's the easy part. "Dear God, please tell me what to do in this situation". Step two: Listen. Not always easy, especially when God wants us to be patient for his word. and Step three: Obey. The hardest of all. Go out and live what Christ has called us to do. I continuously try to use this in my everyday life. God is working and I can feel him moving in so many different and unique ways. I'm ready to ask, I'm ready to listen, and I'm ready to obey.
"Keep on asking, and you will recieve what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, recieves. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7: 7-8
