“Turning Points: Computer Crashes and Listening” Part 2
Last
week, I wrote: After my computer crashed the doctor gave a lecture on the
importance of backing up my files and avoiding unnecessary downloads then he
prescribed five days of bed rest and therapy (for the computer). “Five
days! What would I do for five days? There was important work to do!”
It
was at this point that I realized… there was a problem but it was not with the
computer!
For
you the problem may be pressure to succeed at work. Maybe you’re feeling the
daily grind of raising a family. You may simply be watching too much TV. In
other words, whatever is sapping your creative energy and stealing your time is
also preventing you from becoming all God planned for you to be. What are your
priorities? Unfortunately, mine were out of order and in the shop for repair.
The
first day was tough. Like an addict, I needed a computer fix… bad. “How
do I write my devotion? Where is my schedule? What if I borrowed somebody
else’s computer? Maybe, I’ll buy a new one.” The hours seemed to drag
on and on. I was feeling lost and vulnerable, right where God wanted me.
“Maybe
I should read? Yes, that’s good. Read!” A story by Arthur Gordon caught my
eye about a doctor’s advice for someone going through a bleak period in life.
The doctor said: “Find an isolated area, leave your beeper and telephone
behind and take one of these prescriptions every three hours.”
“Sounds
easy enough,” I thought. “It’s late and I can’t sleep anyway.” The
story mentioned four slips of paper each with separate instructions. The first
prescription was two words: “1) Listen carefully.”
“Listen
to what? My telephone’s turned off. The beeper is in a drawer! There is no
whirring computer in the background. What do you mean?” This was going to be
more difficult than I thought. At first, I could only pace the room and fret but
slowly… ever so slowly, I began to settle down. Finally something inside me
seemed to whisper, “First, read, but don’t just read anything. Read
Proverbs.”
The
first chapter of Proverbs hit me like a bowling ball rolling for a perfect
strike. Come here and listen to me! I’ll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon
you and make you wise. (1:23) God wasn’t interested in my productivity, my
writings or even my ministry. Like a wise parent, God was urging me to sit still
and listen… really listen. Lately, I had been too busy. Imagine that and I’m
a preacher! What about you?
As
the hours passed, I was slowly beginning to relax. Reading soon turned to
talking and talking led naturally to prayer. No longer in a hurry, I freely
shared frustrations and concerns and began to patiently and quietly listen for
the comforting voice of God. Inevitably, I would feel a gentle nudge to read
Scripture or write a note. As the hours passed, I learned…
Ø
…being
quiet and taking the time to listen is seldom a time waster. It’s excellent
preparation.
Ø
…it’s
difficult to really understand someone until you first make time to listen to
what they say.
Ø
...it’s
impossible to hear the sweet, soft voice of God until you slow the frantic pace
and listen.
Are
you feeling the pressure to succeed? Slowing down a few moments each day,
listening to your surroundings, listening to your coworkers and most of all,
listening to God will calm your nerves and enable you to discover new insights.
New insights often become keys to success.
Are
you feeling the daily grind of raising a family? Taking the initiative to slow
down and really listen could even help you understand your crazy teenager. (Nahh!!
But it may give you more patience.)
Are
you watching too much TV? Reading too many novels? Spending too much time in the
Internet chat room? Maybe you’re substituting entertainment for much-needed
quiet and contemplation time.
1) Listen carefully.” Advice I needed to follow. Maybe you need it too. Try listening carefully this week and if you get a chance, send a note in care of this newspaper or email :LarryDavies@SowingSeedsofFaith.com and let me know how you’re doing. I’m a better listener now! Next week: I move on to prescription #2.