Storms of Life

"Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do the things I say? I will show you what someone is like who comes to Me, hears My words, and acts on them: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn't shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed, and the destruction of that house was great. Luke 6:46-49

There are a few things that are given in this passage:

We all hear
We all build
The storms do come.

We can hear and not listen. There are times, especially first thing in the morning, I want my coffee and space to seek God. Visitors who love to pounce and prattle find me a poor listener at that time. Yet I must put time aside for both so that both get a good hearing. If I go into someone's home and the TV is on I ask if it can be switched off as I cannot hear properly, the TV competes for attention.

Once we hear, we have an option to use what we hear to build a relationship. At times I can be slow to hear but when I get what I was supposed to hear I can respond correctly. People love to be heard, they love to know they are valuable to us and as we treat them with honour we bless them and our relationship. Should we choose to ignore what we hear then we destroy our relationship. Being selfish and only being consumed with my problems destroys relationships with others.

When the storms come we will want our houses to stand. The storms will come, it is inevitable. They may be in the form of a sickness, financial disaster, divorce, wayward children or anything in between. Being resentful of the storm is a waste of time, being prepared for the storm is imperative.

How can we prepare? By listening. In Australia at present we have severe bush fires. We are constantly being told, be prepared, have a plan. To not have a plan invites disaster. In life, my plan is to stay grounded in the word and allow it to smack me in the head when I need it. I assure you I constantly need it, my heart will veer to selfish if given the chance but the word of God corrects me and brings me back to soft towards God and others.

Today is Sunday, a good day to be quiet before God and listen! Enjoy!

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