Thunder and Lightening
Since school started, I have been getting up at 6:00 a.m. to either walk or work out with a DVD in my living room (gym membership doesn’t fit in the budget right now!). Since I am not actually awake until about the time I start walking down the drive way, I opened the garage door this morning and found that it had rained and may possibly start doing so again soon. I even saw some lightening in the distance. But I thought, “I’m dressed and ready to go - looks like it may move north - let’s go.”
About 10 minutes into the walk, the lightening and very loud thunder appeared to be getting closer and yet I continued. Then it started to sprinkle, and I thought, “Well, let’s see if it gets harder”, and I press on. Well, of course it soon started coming down harder so only then did I decide to head home. But by the time I reached the house, it seemed like it was stopping, so I changed direction and went on because I really needed to get at least 35 minutes of walking in. Of course the rain came back, and I had to laugh at myself and began writing this post in my head!
God gave me obvious warning signs of rain from the moment I left the house but I chose to ignore them, feeling the need to do what I had in my head I needed to do. How many times do we do that in all kinds of areas of our lives? God gives us all kinds of warning signs, saying “Stop. Change direction. This is not going to be good.” But we pay attention only to what we want to do and we press on, ignoring the warning signs, the thunder and lightening that are clear indications of a storm up ahead. We end up getting soaked, washed out. We have the opportunity to heed the warnings and make a wise decision, but we press on, making the unwise choice, selfishly ignoring His voice.
From James 3
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
What warning signs have you ignored? How did God use that to humble you and make you wise?
In case you are thinking how stupid I was to be walking outside with lightening around…I know, I know. My husband already gave me a good talkin’ to, and yet…doesn’t it just drive my point home even more? I mean, not only did I ignore warning sings of rain but I ignored the danger I was putting myself in! My self-ambition equaled doubled chances to make me humble! Anything for you, God.
September 8th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
What a story. I could write a book of how many signs I ignored and walked on. I wonder how many times God shakes his head at us in disbelief. But, sometimes; I don’t know about you the signs are hard to read or you think the devil is just playing with me. But this James verse is correct we need to seek wisdom. Walking in a lightening storm? I would have done the same thing. I walk every morning too. Gym memberships are outrageous!!
September 8th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
You have so nailed it. We always seem to need to push it to the limit. I’m so glad you posted this particular post and I’m so glad that God is even more persistent than we are.