Doing What He Says

Shimei then said to the king, “The word is good. As my lord the king has said, so your servant will do.” So Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days. I Kings 2:38 NASB

Shimei spoke these words to King Solomon. Each of us have the daily opportunity to speak the same words to God. For those of us who know Jesus as our Savior, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. If we are willing to listen, He will whisper instructions to us. If we are willing to obey, He will empower us to do what He says. So what might those whispers sound like?

When I was a child, my siblings and I enjoyed playing a game called “I Spy.” One person would say “I spy something blue.” And the rest of us would proceed to guess at a variety of objects in the room that were blue until someone actually pinpointed what the person was spying. It kept us amused and busy to say the least! Well, in a sense, God has begun nudging me to be on the look out for certain things…three so far.

First, be on the look out for opportunities to defer to others. To put it another way, watch for ways to put others first. It is amazing how many times and places this becomes possible. At work, in traffic, in stores, in our homes! It becomes a joy to discover an opportunity and a delight to carry out the plan. What I found was with each success, I was asking God to help me see another one. No one around us knew we were doing this but God and I were having the time of our life!!!!

Second, be on the look out for the enemy’s presence. With God’s help I am becoming acutely aware of his tactics, finger prints, and attendance. What I am seeing is amazing me! Last night, something was said that rubbed me the wrong way. In the middle of my inner irritation and anger, God startled me with the realization that the enemy was in our midst. He was feeding me interpretations and thoughts that fueled my fire, and I was taking the bait…or plate rather! When I spied the enemy, his gig was up! All the anger in me left as he departed and what could have been a miserable evening turned into rejoicing!

Third, be on the look out for allowing God’s truth to take precedence and counter negative messages that run through my head. For instance, I get dressed, look in the mirror, and the first thought to hit me is “You have got to loose some weight.” But God’s truth needs to take precedence. I am fearfully and wonderfully made! When my hair won’t cooperate God’s truth is that my hair is my crown of beauty. He has a truth for EVERY thought to be battled and renounced.

There will be plenty of opportunities to voice Shimei’s words to God today. And to think He will supply the will, the way, and the success!

Father, my journey is one of daily interacting with You and there really is no better way to live! Amen.