Tue, Jun 23, 2009
pop quiz
A few things pop out at me whenever I read this...
1. "If you hear" - It's my responsibility to listen.
2. "Do not harden your hearts" - It is my responsibility to make sure my heart stays pure and doesn't get grody from offense, from hearing what I don't want to, from sin, etc.
3. "...on the day of testing in the desert..." - I WILL be tested. Just part of the dealio. When obedience is required, testing will follow. Why? To make sure it becomes a heart thing and not a robotic go-through-the-motions response.
Ultimately, it is my responsibility to obey, to follow through, to listen, to hear, to respond, to remain pure, to know my heart, to search my motives, to do, to act, to remember... I always laugh when my youthies say things like "my teacher failed me" or "she gave me an F" I don't laugh because I think bad grades are funny, but because the whole concept is silly. We never want to take responsibility for anything. "He made me do it," "She said this to me first," etc. Followers of Jesus realize that the onus is on me. I can choose whether or not to listen, to obey, to pass the test... in the same way I would choose to study for tests in school or talk on the phone. Growth in God doesn't come slap you in the face... it comes though daily obedience, studying the Word, walking out what it says. It takes time, attention, devotion. But it is MY responsibility to give God something to work with and then allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest. Help me, God, to listen, to stay pliable and to grow in You.
1. "If you hear" - It's my responsibility to listen.
2. "Do not harden your hearts" - It is my responsibility to make sure my heart stays pure and doesn't get grody from offense, from hearing what I don't want to, from sin, etc.
3. "...on the day of testing in the desert..." - I WILL be tested. Just part of the dealio. When obedience is required, testing will follow. Why? To make sure it becomes a heart thing and not a robotic go-through-the-motions response.
Ultimately, it is my responsibility to obey, to follow through, to listen, to hear, to respond, to remain pure, to know my heart, to search my motives, to do, to act, to remember... I always laugh when my youthies say things like "my teacher failed me" or "she gave me an F" I don't laugh because I think bad grades are funny, but because the whole concept is silly. We never want to take responsibility for anything. "He made me do it," "She said this to me first," etc. Followers of Jesus realize that the onus is on me. I can choose whether or not to listen, to obey, to pass the test... in the same way I would choose to study for tests in school or talk on the phone. Growth in God doesn't come slap you in the face... it comes though daily obedience, studying the Word, walking out what it says. It takes time, attention, devotion. But it is MY responsibility to give God something to work with and then allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest. Help me, God, to listen, to stay pliable and to grow in You.
From the YouVersion Blog RSS Feed
Videos for you to use Introducing YouVersion Live to your Group, Church or Event
Below are a couple resources we wanted to pass on to all of you who have been creating groups and events... Read more »
