FROM YOUR LIPS TO GOD'S EARS

 

Remember days of yore, when you were a kid sitting around the campfire, whispering phrases in each other’s ears just to hear what kind of gobbledy-gook the sentence turned into at the end? Fun, wasn’t it?

Now, transfer this to adulthood, only there’s not 25 kids, but just you and another person trying to have a conversation. And it seems that when the words leave your lips, they take on a whole different shape and meaning by the time they enter the other person's ears, and confusion runs rampant, and you wonder why this person is so rude and annoying and insensitive!

Sometimes there may be legitimate reasons. I remember an eon ago, being a kid with teensy ability to stay focused. Mom would do her best to explain to me why baking toys in the oven was a bad idea. I heard only the first few words, because I was pondering whether or not a certain doll would fit down the toilet. I just wasn’t that interested in being obedient to mom, because I could only focus on having more fun.

Now that my parents are elderly, it’s apparent that words can misfire because of a genuine inability to hear well. Although occasionally, I detect “selective” hearing between them. One of them deliberately refuses to hear what’s being said because it conflicts with personal desire. I now see that life can certainly be a “circle” of confusion and misspent words.

So, it’s one thing to audibly hear words, and quite another to comprehend, to take the words into the mind and heart, to want to know what the speaker intends, to follow through, and to fellowship. And now I’m wondering to myself -- how do I hear His words?

What if I reverse the saying “from my lips to God’s ears” (meaning the speaker hopes that God hears and will answer) and consider it from His point of view, “from God’s lips to my ears.” If He’s speaking to me from His Word, and I’m not really hearing Him, is it because I’m preoccupied with the worldly “lust of the flesh and the eyes” (1 John 2:16)? Or because I’m choosing not to be obedient because His will conflicts with mine? Or because I’m listening to everyone else’s ideas instead of His divine wisdom?

My loving Father, please forgive me for annoying and grieving You by my rudeness and insensitivity. May I never, for even a minute, be like the people You warned through the prophet who “stopped their ears from hearing” (Zechariah 7:11), or turn my “ears away from the truth” (2 Timothy 4:4) in favor of a myth, or hear my Jesus’ commands and have no desire to be obedient (Matthew 7:26). You told the disciples to listen to Your Son (Matthew 17:5). You don’t mumble, Your words are very clear. I have no genuine excuses for hearing “yakkity-yak” noises from Scripture. You want me to know Your heart’s desire for me, and for me to have a joyful obedience to, and fellowship with You in return. I’m so thankful for Your continuing patience, truth, and wisdom, even in the midst of my “selective” hearing.

ATTITUDES AND ACRONYMS

Recently as I was strolling through the internet labyrinth, I learned that as many acronyms exist as there are stars in the universe. Most acronyms are way too technical for my wee brain, but I got my daily giggle from several, including:

DENIAL = Don’t Even Know I’m Lying

DIET = Did I Eat That?
MATH = Mental Abuse to Humans,
and my favorite:
AAAA = Association Against Acronym Abuse

That was entertaining, wasn’t it? However, I had a brain spasm recently because of a particular acronym on social media, one that I won’t repeat here, because I don’t want you to look it up and be grossed out. The cleaned-up version of that acronym is meant to tell people “do I look like I care about much of anything?” Apparently, it’s on a line of clothing and is considered to be “attitude” wear. From my vantage point, one might as well be wearing the "cat-with-bad-attitude" picture on one's shirt.  The individual who displayed this acronym on his site clarified by saying that he doesn’t care about anyone’s opinion of him, that he’s done what he wants his entire life, and that the only opinion he ever considers is his wife’s and God’s, and nobody else. And he solidified his lack of caring what people think by offering two more posts with foul language. Yes, this person professes to be a Christian.

I know this person, therefore I'm sure he wouldn’t take too kindly to being held accountable by another Christian. He wouldn’t want to hear about how God’s Word emphasizes believers’ attitudes towards one another are to be that of humility and encouragement. He wouldn’t enjoy reading the many verses emphasizing “wise in their own eyes” and haughtiness, and lack of listening to godly counsel is a gigantic hindrance in walking the Christian road. And he particularly wouldn’t like to hear that the Almighty God doesn’t have “opinions.” He is the “I Am” and His Word is truth. His commands are to be obeyed, not just “considered” and then tossed aside in favor of worldly desires.

And at this point, I must consider the speck/log issue. How many times have I myself behaved in a haughty, not humble, manner towards others, not taken godly advice, or glossed over God’s commands? Probably more than I would care to admit. Sticking one's tongue out at God is, at the very least, inconsiderate.  So this acronym issue was a good wakeup call. And I’ve found many other acronyms that display a more profitable “attitude” to wear on my clothes, and treasure in my heart:

ACTS = Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, Supplication

ALONE = Always Leading Others Near Eternity

BREAD = Bible Reveals Every Answer Daily
CHRIST = Compassionate Humble Redeemer Immortal Servant Truthful
GRACE = God Really Covers Everything

My Father, I am so thankful to You for pointing out the importance of evaluating my potential behavior by asking myself, and You, if what I’m about to do will glorify You, or give You a “brain spasm.” Will it veer me off the road I’m walking with You? Will it help or impede, or gross out, other believers if they see what I do? Father, You are so very patient with me, and Your Word is so sufficient, that I want You to be the first Counselor I seek. And if You choose to mediate Your love and advice through other believers, give me the humbleness of heart to listen to them. 

COMMON SENSE, COMMON STUPID

Somebody recently told me that he thought I possess much common sense, based primarily on wee stories, just like this one. Excuse me a minute while I recuperate from rolling-on-the-floor guffawing at the thought of me having any sense at all.

There, I’m okay now. Even though this person has known me a realllllyyyy long time, he’s probably forgotten about the many instances of extremely common-stupid incidents throughout my life. For example, when I, as a desperate teenager, used fabric softener to smooth and straighten my wild hair. Or when I’d read girlish detective novels and spied on the neighbors. Or when my girlfriend and I brought home bird eggs from a nearby field and tried to hatch ’em in the oven. I’ll stop now, you get the idea. But suffice it to say that reaching the coveted adult age of 21 did not diminish common-stupid activities.

When I consider my blemished lifelong behavior and attitudes, one word comes to mind: FOOL. I know, how rude. But according to the Word of God, since I was born a sinner (Romans 5:12), foolishness is one of many offshoot behaviors. Scripture is heavily saturated with examples of foolishness sprouting dainty buds of dishonesty, slander, atheism, hyper-self-confidence, and hypocrisy. Since I was born with a congential “wise in my own eyes” syndrome, it was a bit of a shock when the Lord reached down to save me, and showed me that I wasn’t as wise as the proverbial owl after all.

Psalm 19:7-11 and 2 Timothy 3:15-17 showed me the blessed usefulness of Scripture, stretching me way beyond my own common stupid/sense. Scripture taught me to be humble and ask God for His wisdom, which He gives freely (James 1:5-6). It’s intimidating, and yet, so comforting to know that His thoughts and ways are so very much higher than mine (Isaiah 55:8-9). And Jesus, who IS God, told the disciples to “learn from Me” (Matthew 11:29).

My Father, Who is infinitely full of wisdom, I thank You that You’ve given me the privilege of learning directly from Your Word, and learning directly from my Jesus. So no matter how entertaining it is for me to write quirky story-lady blurbs, no matter how powerful our pastor, or t.v. evangelist, no matter the wonderful theologically-helpful books that are at my disposal ... I crave to learn from You first and foremost. Each day, I want to hide more of Your Word in my heart because my own “common sense” is so wishy-washy, and Your very uncommon wisdom is stable and eternal, and I desire it more than “much fine gold” (Psalm 19:10).

CHIRPING BIRDS AND BUSTED BOTTLES

In my humble opinion, this is the proper way to walk a pup -- in the seasonally glorious woods, with fresh air, chirping birds, bubbling brooks, Bambi, munchkins, and most important, convenient benches for tired old people with hyperactive pups, all of whom require copious amounts of sugar-saturated energy snacks.


As opposed to ... traipsing down the sidewalk on our boulevard where people in wannabe racecars shoot off the nearby highway, spasming along at warp speed, tossing out bottles of who-knows-what (although I do) which shatter all over driveways and sidewalks. ’Tis certainly a different type of exercise for us, less like sauntering, more like frantic hopscotching, avoiding spiked and splintery shards scattered about, capable of shredding even the thickest of athletic shoes, and certainly delicate wee puppy paws.

 

Upon consideration, is anyone’s life really like the Bambi-walk through the woods? Nah. Most people’s lives, occasionally or frequently, resemble the hopscotch through the city’s shards. Not to sound cheerless, but diligence is necessary in maneuvering through life. And when we insist on powering through on our own wisdom, well, things can get messy really fast. At least that’s been true in my own life. More than once. Slowwwww learner.

 

What’s my point? Well, as I’m walking our little Minnie pup through the obstacle-shard-course, from my tall long-legged human vantage point, I have a pretty good view of the surrounding area. Short-legged puppy’s vantage point is spectacularly limited, and she could care less about danger. Her goal in life is to smell every blade of grass and pee on it. 

 

So here’s my point -- it’s my job to maneuver her safely through her walk, by guiding and sometimes pulling her away from the shards aiming to cause her harm. I want her to pay more attention to me than she does to peeing on things. Does Minnie WANT to be guided by me? No, she wants to do her thing, when and how she wants to do it. Does that behavior sound familiar? Yes, and I’m ashamed of myself. Because even at my somewhat advanced age, I still find myself lurching away from the guidance of the Holy Spirit, demanding to do things my own way, because hey! I’m gonna do what I want. That’s what happens when I forget the velvety admonition that “pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Proverbs 16:18).

 

My all-seeing and all-knowing God, forgive me for refusing to stop and consider that You see things that I cannot, things that You desire to guide me through and around, so that I’m not hurt. No doubt You’ll take me places I’d rather not go for my good and Your glory, but please cause me to pay more attention to You than on my sensory miscalculations. Remind me as often as necessary in Your Word how much you un-love pride and self-sufficiency, and how much You really love humility of heart and trust in You (Proverbs 3:5-6). I am full of praise as You lead me to become less selfish and more faithful as You walk me through the rest of my life.

CRASHING AND COASTING

I’ve spent the better part of 4 decades being manhandled by flailing blood sugar, a/k/a, hypoglycemia.  For me, the problem was exacerbated by what I was eating. Example: I would eat half a dozen glazed donuts. The result was soaring blood sugar, then crashing blood sugar. The end result was that I became twitchy, anxious, and so desperate for food that I would gladly shove anybody onto the floor who got between me and the refrigerator ... where the rest of the donuts lived ... and the cookies and cake and ice cream. Not a particularly pleasant, or intelligent, way to live. 

Long story short ... the Lord took matters into His own hands by showing me that THIS MUST STOP, and that I needed to do the dreaded DETOX. That’s right, I of the no-self-control tribe suddenly became able to cleanse myself of sugar, and by golly, I leveled out. I became able to eat real food, then stop. I found no pleasure in the daily crud-food circus anymore. I became able to coast through my days, not crash and twitch. What a miracle!

 

Lesson 1: There’s now an obvious difference between knowing that I’m hungry when my stomach tells me, and then to eat what’s good for me ... versus thinking that I’m hungry every time my blood sugar lies to me and convinces me I’m hungry for more junk.

 

I bet you’re waiting for a convoluted spiritual lesson here, aren’t you? Well, take a deep breath.

 

Lesson 2: If I depend on circumstances and feelings to tell me what I think is “true” ... I’m gonna crash and twitch through my days, and probably shove other people around. If I do not depend on the Solid Rock that is Christ, on the truth that is God’s Word, I will flail around and be totally confused and useless. I’m likely to be “driven and tossed, and unstable” if I don’t get my wisdom from God (James 1:5-8). If, however, I run my life according to what I KNOW is true from God’s Word (Job 19:25; Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 4:14; 1 John 5:20), I’m much more likely to “coast” through my days, being fruitful for Him.

 

Abba Father, I am so thankful that You use my everyday circumstances to drive home lessons that I so badly need to learn. I praise You for the wisdom and patience You exhibit towards me while I flail around independent from You, and how You lovingly draw me to Yourself when I need it. Which is almost every minute of every day. You are indeed a merciful Father!