Do what you're told ...

When we are young children we do well to tune into the voice of our parents and to follow the instructions they give us. Sometimes this assists us to remain safe (when crossing the road without watching and they call "stop", in time for us to not be knocked over). At other times it serves us well with wisdom (putting money aside for a rainy day - when something might go wrong or not as planned and we suddenly need funds to fix it). Or for instruction (how to drive a car safely, or the benefits of reading the Scriptures and being in prayer and following Christian disciplines in our lives).

In the account that follows, the mother of Jesus gives some wise instruction to the servants at the wedding feast - “Do whatever he tells you.” Have a read -

John 2:1-12 (New Living Translation)

The Wedding at Cana

1 The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. 9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” 11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. 12 After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.

It is good instruction for us as followers of Jesus. When He speaks to you and I, we will do well to listen to what His instruction is and follow it. It is wise and beneficial to do so for we know Jesus always and only wants the best for us. He loves us. We can trust Him. So - “Do whatever he tells you,” and I reckon you will find much benefit from this advice.

Turn around ...

Have you ever been on a trip and suddenly you (or someone else traveling with you) begin to question whether you are actually going in the right direction or not? Of course, it is one of those roads that has no indication of where you are, where you are going or where you have been (no sign posts). At this point you have a choice to make and there seems to be only one of two of these available to you, either to persist in the direction you are going, or to turn around and go back.

Let me ask you, how are you at taking directions? Or here is a bigger question, how are you at being told you are going in the wrong direction? Think about this a moment. Does it sit easy with you then someone suggests you are wrong? Your choices are out of whack, out of alignment with what God might want for you. How do you take such conversation?

Have a look at this passage from the Bible with me:

Isaiah 55:6-7 (New Living Translation)

6 Seek the Lord while you can find him.

Call on him now while he is near.

7 Let the wicked change their ways

and banish the very thought of doing wrong.

Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.

Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

To repent is merely to turn around, to go in the opposite direction than the one you have been going (take a u turn). It is to respond to the fact that our lives are heading the wrong way, most times a destructive and harmful direction of wasted opportunity. It is then we need to understand that God has something better and different for us, a plan that is fulfilling, worthwhile, healthy and beneficial. But it does mean discarding the way we were going. The way we were living. To turn our back on this and go in a different direction.

This passage reminds me that there is a time for this. In fact, more urgently, that we need to respond while the opportunity is there for us, for it may get too late and not be an option available to us anymore. And I love the response of God when we do this: Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. Don't you love that?

Lord, I desire to be found on the right track, following Your way, going the direction You have mapped out for my life. Help me to listen to the prompting of Your Spirit who at times needs to correct me in this, who attempts to guide me back onto the right path. Help me in listening to obey and to follow You more closely.

Listen and live ...

There is much that I could focus on tonight. For instance, try reading Romans 8 and not finding a tonne of stuff to write about. Or I could find myself expressing my deep concern for what I observe to be the laziness of some around me, those who seemingly just do not pull their weight, whilst others are so conscientious, that my concern is they will not finish the race because they will burn themselves out (another topic for the future I think). However, to something else.

I am drawn today to the following passages of Scripture:

Proverbs 4:4 (New Living Translation)

4 My father taught me,

“Take my words to heart.

Follow my commands, and you will live.

Proverbs 5

1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;

listen carefully to my wise counsel.

My generation (I think I am sounding old at this point, even to myself) knew the wise counsel of listening to those with experience and the knowledge of life. The importance of following their instruction and even learning from their mistakes. And this is all good to do.

But, there is more, for the letter to the Romans does remind us that the real difference comes when the Spirit of God lives in us. The old, sinful life no longer, has to have control, because the Spirit of God cleanses, frees and gives us direction. Our work is complete. Our life is forever and this only gets better after an earthly death.

"Father, for I can call you this as your adopted son, please help me to listen to the counsel of Your Spirit, that my path might be straight and that where I take people will be of benefit to them."