Stories. They’re a narrative, sometimes true, other times fictitious. They can be short or lengthy, make us laugh or cry. They teach or illustrate a point, and if well told, the lesson learned is never forgotten.
It is often said our lives tell a story.
We can truly only know our own story, and it’s our story to tell. God has created each of us uniquely, so we would live our days and share the journey He has placed us on.
“My child, listen, to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.” (Proverbs 2: 1-2, NLT)
If we desire to hear and live out our story, we are going to need to do four things:
- Listen. This will require waiting attentively with the intent to obey. “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today” (Deuteronomy 6:4-6, NLT).
- Treasure. Do we regard Scripture as precious, carefully retaining in our memory what we read, letting it nourish our souls? Can we say as Job, “I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food” (Job 23:12, NLT).
- Tune. Much like musical instruments, we will need to make adjustments, corrections, so that our lives are synched to His. “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25, NLT).
- Concentrate. It is important to stay focused on what matters, and let go of that which will distract us from His purposes. “So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ””that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective” (Colossians 3:1-2, MSG).
Our stories are worth telling. But we only hear them if … “we bend all the way down and put your ear to the ground to hear it” (Shauna Niequist)
May we bow low and give a listen.
Today I am joining … Tell His Story and Purposeful Faith and InstaEncouragements .
I’m reading in the Proverbs these days, and keep coming back to lessons like this–the split second between opening my mouth and saying the wrong thing, the forward momentum that carries me through a day with scorched earth behind me.
I want to spend 2020 with my ear to the ground.
Michele, it is so true – all it takes it that split second for a word to escape. Joining you in getting my ear to the ground.
Joanne, I love those four steps. As a writer, I’ve also come to see how God works in my life’s story. It’s kind of amazing to pen a tale with Him . . . in a matter of speaking.
I really liked what you said about “Tune.” That’s a great word to describe what we do as we seek to know Him, to love Him, and to reflect Him to the world around us.
Jeanne, I so appreciate your thoughts especially as I read your blog posts. As our lives become more in sync, in step with His life within us, we are enabled to bear fruit in our lives. May we be willing to be tuned now and again.
I know I don’t listen enough. Good points, Joanne! Thanks for these reminders.
Pinned & tweeted.
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Awesome. So many are drawing nearer to God this year. I would love for you to share about prayer on my blog sometime.
As many see the news unfolding each day, I think it turns our hearts and minds to the only One who is sovereign over it all.
In the bowing….THAT is where it all happens.
Amen!