Happy New Year - a podcast by David K Payne

Matthew 2:12(NLT) And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

 Don't let the doubts of others ring louder than God's whispers to your spirit.

-- Tricia Goyer

Hear what others have to say, but listen to God

-- Anonymous

 Happy New Year. For this year we are going to continue our theme of “Just Be” and add to it the thought of living an Authentic Life. We must push off the pressures and expectations of others and be true to who God created us to be.

For today consider the pressure exerted on us by others. The pressure to conform to the expectations of others. The pressure to have others be pleased with our actions. The fear we have of others. The peer pressure to fit in, to feel important and be somebody important to others. What we don't see is that when we give in to what others are saying more than what we are hearing inside of our hearts, we could be exchanging who we are and what we could be, for what others have in mind for our lives. We are making others more important that the one who gives us purpose  and life to being with.

In the story of the wise men we have already focused on how easy it is to allow others to replace what we are doing that is good, with what they envision as the best. In this story we clearly see that others will attach themselves to our journeys in order to fulfill their selfish purposes.  We must learn to trust that the one who started us on our journey and placed the desire in us to begin with is the one who can daily direct our steps. Yes God uses others to speak to us from time to time, but in those moments when what others are saying conflicts with what we are hearing, we must learn to trust His voice.

What would have happened if the wise men had returned to Herod, giving in to the expectation and commands of someone powerful at that time in history. It may have been that Jesus would have been killed as a baby, and the story of advent might have be cut short and we would never know the power of His amazing hope, joy and love. You may say, that could have never been and you may be right, but the thing I know for sure is these wise men would have missed the mark and purpose of God for their lives.

For today, ask God to speak clearly to your heart what you are supposed to do. Purpose to hear what others have to say, but listen to God. The fact God is not seen makes it easy to trust those you are able to see physically and hear audibly. But why would God place something clear in your heart and then send someone else to contradict what you know to be good. Don't be afraid to listen to the voice of God in your life and trust that voice more than the voice of others.

Just Be

David

 

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