Stop! Look! Listen! Familiar warning, isn’t it? Most likely wisdom derived from experience. Involving the senses before moving forward has spared many vehicular accidents. This simple caution has likewise spiritual applications.
Stop! We are in for a long haul not a sprint. God’s grace is sufficient for each day. We need to enter his rest. Take stock; and seek his direction for each step along the way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.1 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.2
Look! Watch your way. The enemy lurks! He comes only to kill and steal and destroy.3 “You son of the devil you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?”4 Examine your life and consider its direction. You have been chosen and set apart for a purpose. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.5
Listen! Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together! My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb, . . .6 Again he began to teach . . .7 Everywhere he went Jesus would teach. And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen!. . .”8 Summon God fearing men and seek to hear the word of God.9 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.10 Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.11
Stop! Look! Listen!
Notes:
1. Psalm 119:105
2. John 15:7-8
3. John 10:10
4. Acts 13:10
5. John 15:16
6. Psalm 49:1-4
7. Mark 4:1
8. Mark 4:2-3
9. Acts 13:7
10. Proverbs 19:20
11. Proverbs 19:27
