What A Privilege

I’ve stopped watching the news. I’m in that space between wanting to be informed and needing to hold onto my sanity. A feeling of unrest and low-key anger rises when I overthink. Dipping my gluten-free pancakes in syrup, the word ‘privilege’ finds its way into my spirit. This new season of life has felt like a bandage ripped off a gaping wound with no warning. Privilege is not a word I associate with my life. And yet, there it is.

My prayer at that moment was simple: “What are You saying, Lord?” His answer sings the response, “What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recognize the privilege it is to step away from chronic busyness and sit at His feet. As is my habit, I grab my phone and google the word ‘privilege.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a privilege to have unlimited access to the King of Kings.

Not everyone has direct access to Jesus, and not everyone who has access uses their privilege to petition the Lord. I know that I haven’t always made full use of my access. Some days it is easier, in my mind anyway, to just take care of it myself. I don’t want to wait for God’s answer when I can see it clearly for myself.

 

I keep eating and pondering and in the process, I turn my pancake over to view the other side. It looks completely different. All the seeds, caramelization, and various textures come into view. The flavor hasn’t changed, and what I’m eating hasn’t changed, but I have a new perspective and appreciation for what is on my plate.

Clearly God’s Word Brings Perspective

This lesson learned from an order of gluten-free pancakes has not been fully digested, pun intended. I’m still here at the restaurant trying to get these thoughts down before I lose them. But, as I write, its clear to me that my part of being friends with Jesus means I don’t just talk; I listen. And He cautions me to

pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Pay Attention to How You Hear

These words of Jesus make me pause and consider how I listen. Listening to formulate a response and listening to comprehend evoke very different results. Listening to comprehend will bring about a deeper connection and appreciation of His word. But if I listen to respond I break the intimacy of our interaction. I stop myself from going deeper with Him when I fire off one question after another in a childish fashion. He welcomes my childlike curiosity, but my childishness needs to be put away.

I believe that in this season, when God speaks my response is to listen. To take it all in and ponder it like Mary. There is a time and place for further study, but at this moment in time, my task is to pay attention to how I hear so that my understanding is increased. How about you? What season are you in? And how good are you at listening? I hope you pray for me, as I pray for you!