Today’s Readings: Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 22:34-46; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that when you deal with human beings, you have to not only get use to – but actually come to expect - lots and lots of contradictions. Let me use an example from politics to make my point. If you think about the Clinton Administration, many people criticized Clinton for doing what? Listening to the people by simply following the polls. Fast forward to the next president – President Bush. President Bush has a completely different style; he is known for often ignoring the voice of the people and listening only to his voice. And what do pundits criticize him for? Not listening to the people. I’ve come to the conclusion that when it comes to the human condition people generally want whatever it is they don’t currently have. In today’s passage from 1 Thessalonians, we are introduced to a different way of leading one’s life – a style that’s dependent upon listening primarily to neither the voice of the people nor one’s own voice. No, this style of leadership is all about listening to something else: God. In speaking of Silas, Timothy, and himself; Paul wrote: “Be assured that when we speak to you we’re not after crowd approval – only God approval. Since we’ve been put through that battery of tests, you’re guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas” (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 from The Message). My question for you to consider today is this: “When it comes to living your own life, what voice do you listen to? Do you listen primarily to the voice of others; do you listen primarily to your own voice; or do you listen primarily for the voice of God?” The voice to which you listen will determine the direction in which your life goes. Til next time…
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that when you deal with human beings, you have to not only get use to – but actually come to expect - lots and lots of contradictions. Let me use an example from politics to make my point. If you think about the Clinton Administration, many people criticized Clinton for doing what? Listening to the people by simply following the polls. Fast forward to the next president – President Bush. President Bush has a completely different style; he is known for often ignoring the voice of the people and listening only to his voice. And what do pundits criticize him for? Not listening to the people. I’ve come to the conclusion that when it comes to the human condition people generally want whatever it is they don’t currently have. In today’s passage from 1 Thessalonians, we are introduced to a different way of leading one’s life – a style that’s dependent upon listening primarily to neither the voice of the people nor one’s own voice. No, this style of leadership is all about listening to something else: God. In speaking of Silas, Timothy, and himself; Paul wrote: “Be assured that when we speak to you we’re not after crowd approval – only God approval. Since we’ve been put through that battery of tests, you’re guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas” (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 from The Message). My question for you to consider today is this: “When it comes to living your own life, what voice do you listen to? Do you listen primarily to the voice of others; do you listen primarily to your own voice; or do you listen primarily for the voice of God?” The voice to which you listen will determine the direction in which your life goes. Til next time…
2 comments:
Dear Pastor Craig: works again well spoken. After a number of years of listening to others and running from God's call on my life I finally stopped and listened to my own words - and God's - and have begun MDiv work at Iliff School of Theology. Along the way you and your words gave direction and encouragement and for that I am grateful to God. Peace.
Thanks Jon for your words of encouragement. I know God's grace, peace & sense of purpose will go with you each step of the way as you answer your call. Please let me know how things develop for you!
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