“If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.” (Proverbs 9:12)
We all want to be blessed. But on what road does blessing lie? The “good life” is not found in the possession of a lot of stuff. “… For a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). Many a rich man is miserable. Neither is happiness found in a world that conforms to our ideal. Such a world will always be a fantasy, that finds frustration more than fulfillment. Real joy and peace is found in living a life attuned to God.
But to hear from God we must draw near to God. Our prayer should be: “Just a closer walk with Thee. Grant it, Jesus, is my plea.” God’s voice is a still, small voice. To hear it you must lean in to Him. You must find a “closet” and close the door. Other competing voices must be shut out. Too often, we simply allow the loudest voice be the one we listen to. That voice may be one of anger or fear or desire. It drives us down one course or another until we eat the bitter fruit of our own way. And then we are forced to reflect on the way we operate. If we are honest we’ll admit we are too headstrong, hot and hasty. We are ruled by our emotions and ideas, more than the wise guidance of the Holy Spirit.
We would spare ourselves (and others) so much grief if we were better listeners. We spend our whole lives doing what thinks and feels right and good to us. When we get saved it’s time to divorce ourselves from ourselves and get plugged into the very Wisdom of God. Yes, we make God happy when we give Him the place He deserves in our life. But we also are the blessed beneficiaries of a listening ear.