Sunday, February 5, 2017

A New Reality

Reality TV theatrics are being adopted by the general population at an alarming rate.  The pattern is simple: A feels slighted because of something B said or did; A seeks advice from C; B seeks advice from D;  Soon thereafter A and B encounter each other and the "hair puling" ensues.  

But, what would have happened if after feeling slighted, A and B went (separately) to a neutral omnipresent G for advice before taking any action?  What if after receiving guidance, A and B followed the advice of G to resolve the conflict instead of taking matters into their own hands? 

Since we are finite beings we can never fully understand the complexities of our neighbors, friends, colleagues, family members, enemies.  Truth is relative and has many sides.  Therefore it is best to seek advice from an omnipotent being who knows all the angles instead of a mere mortal.  

The God that I serve is so accessible that I can actually converse with him like I converse with a good girl friend.  I can share my fears, my disappointments and my hurts with my God.  I can seek forgiveness for my missed opportunities.  I can ask for help to fix a complicated situation.  I can seek specific guidance on issues as mundane as where to get my lashes done.  I can also seek guidance on life altering issues like: whether to quit my job to pursue a hobby full time.

Seeking help from God requires a listening ear, discipline, patience and obedience.

But, God promises to answer us.  And He never goes back on His word.

"Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you." Matthew 7:7

To clarify, God’s timing while perfect is not akin to our timing.  In other words, He does not always answer immediately. But He will answer in time enough to act.  We must then learn to WAIT on God before taking matters into our own hands.

“Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing. 9 For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.” Psalm 37:7-9

While we wait, we are not to wait idly.  Instead, we must work to cultivate a listening ear.  This means, we must spend consistent time with GOD to learn to distinguish His voice from the chatter of others.  We must spend consistent time praising GOD, thanking GOD, reflecting with GOD on each day’s activities in order to spot patterns in how He interacts with us.  In other words, we must pray constantly.

14 Dear brothers, warn those who are lazy, comfort those who are frightened, take tender care of those who are weak, and be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else. 16 Always be joyful. 17 Always keep on praying. 18 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

In my walk with God, I have discovered that He speaks to me in several ways: 1) personally by sending messages that pop into to my mind like a new idea; 2) through advice from other Spiritual Warriors (other believers with faith that has tested over many many years); 3) through vivid and detailed dreams; and 4) through patterns in my life that seem to repeat (upon reflection, I can gauge a lesson from these acts).

Because I try my best to set aside quiet time to sit with God, I am being rewarded.  I am developing a listening ear.  I am learning how to hear God’s direct guidance and advice in real time. 

There is an alternative REALITY in Christ, darling.

Seize it for yourself today.