Slow Down... Listen

I was hoping the reading today would line up with what's been on my heart for the last couple days, but it didn't work out like that this time. Mark 13 does, in a way, parallel what I want to talk about though. Jesus talks about His second coming and how many people will be led astray before then. We need to be prepared and watch, because we don't know when or the time of day, but we need to be ready when He comes.

I think, just like we need to watch, we need to spend more time listening. So often my day gets so hectic from a world point of view, that any time I spend with God is me talking to Him. I'm asking for things or thanking for things. Maybe I'm even complaining about things. I forget how important it is to listen. How good is a relationship where someone just tells you about themselves all the time, and doesn't even slow down for a second to listen to any feedback. Personally, I run from those kind of relationships. It's too hard to be in that type of situation.

I was at church youth group tonight and a bunch of kids wanted to get up and share experiences they had from a retreat they were on last weekend. The most impacting moments weren't when the students were in worship or sharing about themselves, but it was when they were in a moment of quiet time, when they slowed down and listened to what God had to say to them. God had reminders for them to tell them how loved they were, how beautiful they were, and how He plans to use them. He had encouragement for some and even spoke to some for the first time. 

Even myself, as I attended a prayer night last night, finally remembered to take some time and listen after pouring my heart out to God, and got a little emotional when I clearly heard "I got this". The Bible says that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Well... I'm thinking that must mean He's been cool for yesterday, today and the future, because  He didn't say "Thou shalt be under my protection and guidance". That would have been cool a few centuries ago. But, He told me He has it. It's under His control. This is His plan. It's not up to me. I don't have to figure it all out. I don't need to know all the solutions. I don't need to carry this burden (Matthew 11:28).

I think about when I've led groups of people on backpacking trips. The leader is expected to provide a safe and clear trail for those behind them. God is our leader, and has your life in His control. If you're following Him, then there's nothing to fear or worry about. Maybe there's an area of mud, but by time you get there it's going to have a plank across it to protect you. Maybe there's some thorns hanging over the trail, but by time you get there they're cut back. Maybe there's a snake, but by time you get there there's nothing to be seen. If we're following God closely, we're going to stay on that plank, within those thorns and away from the snake, but if we start to take our eyes off of the leader and try to do things on our own, we're going to miss the plank, walk through the thorns and come across the snake's new location. 

Cast your burdens on Jesus, and follow closely. He promises to lead us well.