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06 February 2012
Last week, Mark and I were in Valdosta, Georgia, at a TRANSFORM Conference. 
When we got in the elevator at the hotel, it began to speak to us. It was a bit shocking. Mark then said to me, "Remember when there used to be a man in the elevator that would push the button for you?" This, of course, is dating us.
Here is another one. Remember when there were gas station attendants? There were actually men who would come out and pump the gas for you, wash your windshield and check your oil. All at no extra charge!
The times have changed. As a society we have changed and tasks, such as pushing an elevator button and pumping gas, we all do for ourselves now. In fact, it is expected behavior.
As I was thinking about this, I thought if this is true in the natural, then can it be true in the spiritual? Are there things that God expects us to know how to do for ourselves? I think so. In fact, the Bible tells us to not only hear His Word but do it. If we don't do it we deceive ourselves.
James 1:22 You must be doers of the word and not only hearers who mislead themselves. 23 Those who hear but don't do the word are like those who look at their faces in a mirror. 24 They look at themselves, walk away, and immediately forget what they were like. 25 But there are those who study the perfect law, the law of freedom, and continue to do it. They don't listen and then forget, but they put it into practice in their lives. They will be blessed in whatever they do. (Common English Bible)
God wants us to take responsibility for what we hear and we do that by DOING what we hear.
I challenge you. Are you pushing the buttons in your elevator or are you allowing someone else to? It is easy to hear the Word and not do it. I know because I have been there. I love God, love His Word, but sometimes I get too busy for my own good.
God has a plan for your life. He does not want us to be led by circumstance and chance. It is easy to coast. It is easy to hear His Word and agree with His Word. It is another thing to actually put it into action. Sometimes we have to stop what we are doing to act on His Word. Sometimes it may mean finishing what we have already started. But it is not standing still.
I encourage you, don't allow yourself to become too busy that you don't grow in Him. Remember those things that God has spoken to you and do them.
