I have a confession to make. It's about a run in a car garage gate and I had the other day. It wasn't pretty. It also wasn't quite what you may think!
I was walking along, excitedly, telling my husband about a routine I have with our granddaughter. Each time she leaves our garage, we play a precious game. I hide by the gate, her mama puts down the window, and she yells, "I love you" and so do I over and over again. Then, when they pass by the gate, I am there waving. Thee I love you match continues until we can't hear each other anymore.
On this particular evening, our granddaughter, McKinley, was just about to leave with her mama. As I was showing my husband Dave our special spot, a car entered the garage, so we had to push pause on our talk.
Once the car entered, I proceeded with my conversation, hurriedly, scurrying to the hiding spot near the gate. It was a race against time to get their before our granddaughter did. Then, yep, you guessed it. The gate and my head had a run in. Oh, and the gate won!
It was shocking to me, at first, until I realized what I had done. I had walked in the exact spot where the gate came down and allowed myself to be hit in the head. It took me a few days to recover. I certainly won't do that again. (I hope). I still can't believe I actually allowed that to happen the first time around. Not my wisest moment for sure!
I tell this story because, sometimes, we live this way. Excitedly, hurrying along without remembering what we already know. We act as if we haven't been given wisdom for the journey or encouragement to stay the course. We act like God isn't there with us showing us the way. Or, the way not, in this case. We run ahead without checking in with GOD first and cause ourselves a lot of trouble he would gladly have helped us avoid if only we ask.
Meanwhile, the lover of our souls and sustainer of all that lives is watching and waiting for us, whispering, "This is the way, walk in it." In fact, in Isaiah 30.21 God says, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
How cool is that. GOD whispers the way we are to walk. He cares about every detail of our lives. All we have to do is take the time to listen.
When we listen, he is there guiding our every step. In fact, in his word, in Psalm 110:105, David describes GODS guidance like this: "The word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path."
Stop and think about this (visually) for a moment. A lamp unto our feet. That means GOD is directing our every step. He is directing our very next step and with us each step of the way.
Then, a light unto our path. He is also showing us the direction we are to take. He is shining his light on the way to go. The way that is best for us.
The GOD of the universe directing our every step and our way to go. Certainly, had I stopped to listen, I would have avoided my head injury. Same goes for my life. Many times, if only I had listened, I would have avoided so much pain.
So, as the title of this post states, "What's it Gonna Take?" What's it gonna take for you or me to listen to GOD. I certainly hope I have learned my lesson and won't need another symbolic bump on the head so to speak to get my attention.
So, What's It Gonna Take for you to give GOD a try? I would love to hear from you or help you sort it out! Meanwhile, watch out for moving garage gates. They are no joke. That is unless you see me getting hit by one. Now that's hilarious.