I like knowledge and information. When I said yes to marriage, I read books on how to be a good wife. When I had kids I read about how to be a good parent. When they became teenagers, I read even more books about how to prepare them to be a responsible adult. When I followed the call to ministry, I read and read and read and am still reading in order to learn all I can to help as many as I can. There is so very much I want to know and understand. And I suspect many of you feel the same.
Most of us don't want to be mediocre parents or spouses or employees or friends. We want to know the best way to handle the most difficult situations and be a successful as possible in all arenas of life.
Looking at marriage statistics, our chances of success are slim. When it comes to raising children, there are experts everywhere to remind us that we are going to mess our kids up, but we should try to keep that at a minimum. Not very encouraging, so it's easy to feel like all is gloom and doom with regard to living victoriously, however, I would like to offer you some encouragement along with a plan of action. It is the easiest and yet it is likely the most difficult thing you will ever attempt. All you have to do is slow down and listen. Very simple. Yet, very difficult. It is counter-intuitive to slow our pace because the people all around us are furiously running past us, doing more, trying harder, being awesome (or so it would seem) at juggling life and keeping all the balls in the air. It is our natural response in this culture to rush to stay in step with those who look so successful. And rush you must if it is your goal to live successfully in this culture. BUT if it is your goal to live in the culture that Jesus calls us to that is not congruent with this world, then you have to slow down and listen.
If you have decided to follow the way of Jesus and allow Him to reign supreme as your King, then His Spirit lives within you, to guide you and lead you to the Father at any moment of any day. He will direct your steps, help you make the right decision, shape you into the person you were made to be. But, He seldom, if ever, shouts over the noise we expose ourselves to. Rather, He waits for us to draw apart to a quiet place and silently listen for Him to lead us in the right way. Jesus often demonstrated this for His disciples because He knew the value of quiet communion with His Father.
I read somewhere that if you want your kids to know Jesus, spend less time talking to them about Him and spend more time talking to Him about them. I would alter that some and invite you to spend more time LISTENING to Him so that He can direct your parenting decisions. When it comes to your marriage, do the same. He will teach you how to give and receive love, if you will only listen. You will recognize His voice if you have taken the time to learn who He is by being a student of His Word. If you just can't find the time to be still and listen - even just 10 minutes a day, then you are likely to wander in the wilderness of life, doing your best to do your best. And that might seem like it's good enough. It may even be better than a lot of people. But, if you choose His way and heed His advice and set aside time to allow the Spirit of God to share the message of God with you, it will be a game changer. Your life will be a reflection of the One who made you and you will fulfill the plan that He made for you, which I far prefer over wandering and wondering.
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