Sometimes God speaks to us to get our attention and to give us insight into ourselves. It happened to me last weekend.
I was driving to the Prayer Center where I volunteer for a workshop event. We were expecting a large group of people and I was trying to get there early to prepare.
Traffic was heavy, not unusual for our area, but seemed especially congested; probably because it was Saturday morning; Now, I can drive fast sometimes , but only when there’s space on the roads. While I was wondering how long it would take me to reach my destination, I heard the rumble of a large vehicle coming from behind.
A large white truck with oversized wheels and a muffler problem came barreling down the road, cut in front of me then switched back to the right lane breaking hard when he came upon the line of cars in front of him. I shook my head as I watched him consider switching lanes again. I thought,
“at least I don’t do that!”
Immediately, I recalled the scriptures I read that morning which made me laugh ironically. Here I am going to the Prayer Center to talk about God, the Holy Spirit and all things spiritual and God just snapped me back to reality.
Earlier, sitting down with my coffee, I opened up the scripture readings to look them over and read the reflections. I’ve found it is the best way to start my day. It helps keep me grounded, starts me off on an even keel and gives me something to think about. It helps me with my day and often shows me a new perspective. There are times, such as this, when God turns the light on me and reveals something I need to consider.
The scripture from Luke 18: 10-14 reads: “Two people went up to the temple area to pray, one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, “O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and I pay tithes on my whole income”. But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner”. I tell you the latter went home justified, not the former, for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and the one who humbles himself will be exalted”.
Now, I was shaking my head at myself! There I am considering myself “better than” and comparing myself to another when in God’s eyes, we all have things we need to work on. I may not deliberately weave in and out of traffic on the roads but I am certainly not perfect.
There’s another scripture in Matthew which says in regards to judgement,
“Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?”
Aren’t these statements about something we all prefer to forget? I know I don’t look at my faults too often but maybe I should. No matter how “good” I think I am, are there things I need to work on, things I need to improve?
It is good to be reminded to check our motivations and have a performance check like we do with our cars. Check the oil and the battery, if they need to be filled up and charged up, it’s probably a sign that I haven’t given God enough attention or enough focus. Maybe some quiet time to pray and ponder what He is telling me is necessary or to just be present with Him to appreciate all I have and be reminded that it is all a gift from Him; to be mindful of others and not to compare or judge but stay in my lane focusing on my own family and where God has me. Be present within my own circumstances and not to look around at others to compare or judge.
I shared this experience with the group at our workshop as an example of the Holy Spirit whispering to me that morning. I believe that God meant it to be used as an illustration during our workshop that day It certainly gave me something to think about and to work on the places where I fall short.
Even when I do fall short, I know God loves me no matter what.
Remember that.
He loves you too, in every circumstance of your life. Talk to Him and listen for His promptings. He wants to have a relationship with you. He is a Father who desires to teach and guide us for our eternal good.
Can you think of a time when you felt God was instructing you or teaching you?
What was it like and what changes did you make?
Peace & Blessings,
Linda