Stop, Look and Listen

When I was a little girl, I was not allowed to play in the court where we lived without the watchful eye of an adult or older sibling. Even though it appeared safe, my parents were afraid a car would come barreling around the corner, putting me in harm’s way. And they did not want me to attempt to venture over to the other side by myself, risking my safety.

As I grew older, I received the much anticipated lesson on how to cross the street to avoid injury. This lesson was called, “Stop, look and listen”. When I would come to the part of the court where it met the street, they first taught me to stop. They reminded me that it was dangerous to try to cross the street without stopping first. Next, they taught me to look, both ways, for oncoming cars. And while I was looking, they taught me to listen. They taught me that even though I might not see a car coming, I would often hear the car first. I learned the importance of listening for oncoming cars, as well as watching for them. This lesson of “stop, look and listen” is something that is passed down to children each and every day.

My prayer life has been much like this “stop, look and listen” lesson. God desires to spend time with me. I was created for relationship with Him. To know Him and be known by Him. But my life is so full of distractions and it is easy to take my eyes off of the road, putting myself in harm’s way.

By far the most valuable lesson I am learning on my journey to knowing God is to STOP.

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10a NIV)

Life can get tremendously busy at times, and much like a busy street, I often feel as if I am coming and going at the same time, many times without any sense of direction. Yet, God has called me to stop and to be still. The scripture does not say, “Go about your merry little way and when you have time, come and be with me”. It says to be still. To stop. I am learning to cease from my striving. It is not easy, as I am a doer by nature. But it is the One Thing my heart truly desires.

Next, He has called me to LOOK. He is worthy of my adoration. When I focus my attention on Him, everything else pales in comparison.

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. (1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV)

And if I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, He will give me the strength that I need to get through my day. He has called me to seek His face. I am learning to lean into Him and see His beauty. I want to know the Man Christ Jesus, not just about Him. I want to see Him and not the whirlwind of activity that surrounds me.

Finally, the Lord has called me to LISTEN.

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. (Isaiah 55:2 NIV)

The Lord has good things to say! His Word if filled with treasures which He has hidden for me to find. By meditating on His Word, and by listening to the revelation brought to me by the Holy Spirit, my soul is satisfied.

As a busy wife and mother, I must “stop, look and listen” each and every day, sometimes several times a day. By learning to be still in His presence, reflecting on His goodness and hearing His voice I am one step further to knowing Him more today than I did yesterday.