And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. For if you listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law - the law that set you free - and you do what it says and don't forget what you have heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-23
Recently, at my place of employment in a business banking customer care center, some training was required for a group of us which would increase our skill sets. In-depth training was provided. The manual was full of details to be able to do the tasks to meet the customer's needs. We were to use our computers to practice what we read in the manual. Well, that was great for everyone else who had access to the program. Due to some glitch, I did not have access. So, while waiting for the access, I studied that manual, underlined, highlighted and added tabs all week.
When it was time to start taking live calls, I just then received access to the system. I found that no matter how hard I'd studied that manual, it was rough navigating since I'd never had the hands-on practice. After four weeks, I am just now feeling more comfortable at 'doing'.
Through this experience, I was able to catch a glimpse of one of the ways God works in our lives. He has given me the scriptures to see what is expected. I can read, underline, study and tab and try to make them a part of my mind and heart - yet without DOING in order to practice what He tells me, learning is incomplete. I need to hear and DO to be able to make the skills mine.
For example, God tells us in His Word that we are to forgive those who hurt us. Just reading that, I can nod my head in agreement. Yet it isn't until He sends someone along who REALLY hurts me that I must take that nodding of the head in agreement and turn into real, honest hands-on DOING. It is only in the DOING that a particular quality is added to my life.
How about you? About what has the Word been speaking to you? What lies in your pathway which needs the DOING to make it yours? Let's do it!
Heavenly Father, please help me to HEAR what You are telling me and then empower me to DO it. In Jesus' name. Amen.
'Reflections of God's Glory' copyright 2013 by Dawn Ulmer deu49097@yahoo.com
