Listening

I have decided to come home and surprise my family this weekend. They are planning a trip to come visit me next weekend but I know that I won’t be able to come home for another month, and it would be easier for one person to travel than three. So I have loaded up my car and I am on my way home. I have talked to my family so many times this week and I couldn’t say a thing about what my plans were for the weekend because I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep it together if I was to start talking about it.

While I was thinking about this great news I was keeping from my parents I kept thinking back to how God has so many great plans and news for us too. Standing in my parents shoes and seeing how clueless to this plan I had, was very crazy. I knew they would be super excited to see me and if they only knew I was coming, they would be very anxious all week.

“Now glory be to God, who by His mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of -- infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” ~ Ephesians 3: 20

This really challenged me to start listening more to what God is trying to tell me. He has these amazing plans for me, yet I am so caught up in the moment and what I am doing to stop and ask God what I should be doing for Him. He has so many great opportunities for me to grow in Him and I have caught myself being the one talking and not listening and learning.

“You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” ~ James 1:19

I challenge you to stop and think. When you get excited about surprises like birthday parties, trips, vacations, or anything else fun, think about the “surprises” God has waiting for you. It is up to you to ask and find out. God is not trying to keep anything from you, He is just waiting for you to stop ad listen. Give Him the opportunity to tell you the good news.