A challenge undertaken.
A challenge to listen. To act. To step out.
To obey.
So far, in my 8 days of the "10 second rule," I have had small promptings....talk to that person, write a note, make a call, answer the questions of the children, focus beyond myself.
The goal is to place yourself in the habit of obedience - in the habit of listening. And already I can see the difference it is making in my focus.
But in the interest of honesty - although I wanted my focus to be corrected and my obedience to the Lord better and my life to not be wasted; I really didn't want to change.
I didn't want big things asked of me...
because then I'd have to do them.
Change is painful.
Growth hurts.
It tastes yucky.
It makes you clumsy.
But I don't want to be a baby Christian without real faith forever.
So I'm taking this pain.
I'm taking the intense self-evaluation.
I'm facing fear.
Because really, that is what holds me back from faith, from trust, from growth.
My Fear.
Fear of the unknown.
Fear of not having control.
Fear of looking stupid.
Fear of what other people think.
Fear of harming my name.
Fear of harming God's name.
I could excuse it - rationalize it - brush it away as reason. But the truth is I am a woman who doesn't believe Isaiah 41:10
"DO NOT FEAR, FOR I AM WITH YOU; DO NOT ANXIOUSLY LOOK ABOUT YOU, FOR I AM YOUR GOD. I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU, SURELY I WILL HELP YOU. SURELY I WILL UPHOLD YOU WITH MY RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND." NAS
I am going to keep trusting, keep obeying, keep listening; and take baby steps away from fear...and closer to the God who created the universe, who parted the Red Sea, who breathed life into humanity - and is with me.
10 seconds....No Fear.
~Whitney
"When anxiety attempts to wedge its way into your thoughts, remind yourself that I am your Shepherd. The bottom line is that I am taking care of you; therefore, you needn't be afraid fo anything. Rather than trying to maintain control over your life, abandon yourself to My will. Though this may feel scary and dangerous, the safest place to be is in My will." Jesus Calling, Feb. 15.
ReplyDeleteI'm always afraid of not knowing. I'm such a planner, and the military hates those of us who "plan!" I've found that if I just tell God, "Ok, I trust you'll get me moved, help me deal my missing my friends, etc." that God is faithful to give me that desire to be able to plan. For instance, we have gotten a our next detachment/move date (not month...but a specific DATE) over a YEAR in advance. Ohhhhh how that pleases my planning little soul. All because I said, "I'm not worried about selling the house. You did it last time, and found us a wonderful house in record time." Of course I'm not saying that this is some kind of full-proof formula. All I'm saying is that loves to give you gifts. He's not out to test you, to prove your faith, or any of those things. He doesn't want to harm you, and he loves when you trust him.
I think the premise of the book is good - the idea that we should obey the leading of the Holy Spirit when we know He's prompting us. My concern is that believers might confuse instinct or impulse for the leading of the Holy Spirit, when the two might not be the same.
ReplyDeleteIt's true that the Spirit convicts and guides us - but God speaks to us primarily through his Word. It's likely that there would be some believers who would read this book and seek to practice the 10-second rule without any real knowledge of God's "revealed will" (the Scriptures). It would be easy to think they were following God's "implied will" (the promptings of the Spirit) when in reality they were only following their own desires. But accompanied by an intimate knowledge of the Word, this approach would be fine. I haven't read the book (although I've seen similar approaches before), so I don't know if deeply studying the Word to find God's revealed will is part of its premise.
A good book on understanding God's will is "Just Do Something" by Kevin DeYoung. I'd recommend it to anyone who is seeking to know God's will - in the big and small things.
I might be unfairly categorizing the book, so if I am, set me straight. =0)
:: Dan K
Dan -
ReplyDeleteI can see your point. In my reading of the book, I found it to be very balanced. He places emphasis on knowing the Bible, prayer, and accountability. His point is that once you are in the habit of listening to God - through the Bible, through prayer, and in the quiet - the chances of him giving you direction and promptings are high. Often, the promptings are NOT things you normally want to do. That is why he suggests 10 seconds - so you don't talk yourself out of it. The book lays out parameters and boundaries (such as I wouldn't stop to help someone on the side of the road if I didn't have My Love in the car with me.)
I understand your skepticism, but I would give it a read. I was challenged and convicted - in my Bible reading and knowledge, in my relationships, and in my faith in God.
Let me know what you think. (Not that reading extra books is even possible right now!)
I'll check out "Just Do Something."
Whit