Word prompt--TIMING
Five minutes to free-write about it
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Friday's prompt made me think of how important it is to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and quick to obey before the moment passes.
Most times I do respond right away to spiritual promptings, but other times I don't, and the moment passes, and the opportunity is lost.
Just this morning, for instance, I was talking to someone at church and had a strong prompting to ask him a certain question, but it felt awkward and I didn't do it. Maybe there will be another opportunity, maybe not, but I'll never know what the Lord might have used that question to accomplish had I obeyed at that moment in time.
The same thing has happened in my writing. I'll feel prompted to write a post (especially on my other blog--At The Foot Of The Cross), but I'm in the middle of work or what I think is some other priority, so I just quickly scribble a note or two on a scrap of paper so I don't forget to do it later, but when later comes, the passion of the moment is gone, and if I do write something anyway, it does not have the impact it would have had, had I done it when I first felt led to do so.
Which made me think of a passage in the Old Testament (Numbers 14:1-45) about the consequences of missing God's timing.
The spies sent out to scout the land of Canaan brought back a negative report, and as a result, instead of trusting God, the Israelites disobeyed Him and refused to enter the Promised Land because they were afraid. Then, when God told them they would die in the wilderness for their unbelief, they tried to make up for their disobedience by setting out to fight their enemies even though Moses warned them not to do it because God was no longer with them.
They refused to listen, did it anyway, and as a result, they were defeated.
Very good thoughts and reading this makes me think it's something I need to pay more attention to as well. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGood message today and so true. I also visited your other blog and found a great message there also. Hope you have a great week ahead.
ReplyDeletePowerful !
ReplyDeleteOur timing is so often not His timing.. Guilty !
This is a great post today and I do love the words of the passion of the moment being gone ... oh my I have done that too often.
Sue
Thank you for sharing... I have been guilty of not asking the question too, even when it is on the tip of my tongue.
ReplyDeleteI totally get it. I've often felt a prompting and didn't follow through. It's always best to "do it now!" Thankfully, He often extends grace when it comes to inspiration, but He really wants obedience!
ReplyDeleteOlá, Sandra
ReplyDeleteÓtima reflexão. Que possamos estar atentas à voz do Espírito Santo. Um forte abraço.
Beautiful. It's so true we need to follow the promptings of the Spirit. Sometimes it can be nerve-wracking and uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteI've often let those promptings get past me and it bothers me to think of what I might have missed. It can never be an excuse but I am comforted that God still works his will even when I miss out on the timing. Sorry I'm so late responding to last week's FMF!
ReplyDeleteGod's timing is everything. I too have been prompted and did not follow through only to have a heavy heart afterward. The older I get the wiser I become as far as listening for that voice inside my Spirit that prompts me to speak, to give, to help, and even many times to keep my big mouth shut. He is here to guide us (always) we just need to learn to listen. We are all a work in progress, lowly sinners saved by grace. It's wonderful that we have a God that is so forgiving . . . to the point of coming back as an embryo placed in a virgin, to walk this earth as a man and then to die on a cross . . . WHY ? . . . in order to make a way for us to live with Him forever. That's LOVE!
ReplyDelete