Devotional | You’re Not Here to Think…You’re Here to do as You’re Told!

Posted bySally 11 Comments on Devotional | You’re Not Here to Think…You’re Here to do as You’re Told!

“You’re not here to think…you’re here to do as you’re told!”

These words were fired at me like bullets from a rifle, causing me immediate injury. Of course, I laughed about it afterwards with my school friends, but in reality, the teacher who shot those words at me in class over forty years ago, caused a deep pain to my shy twelve-year soul. I had been asking for clarification to a mathematics problem and had the misfortune to pose my question with: “But I thought…”

Thinking deeply has always been part of who I am, and something I enjoy. I need time to process complex information for clarification and my relationship with Scripture is no different. Contemplating narratives from the Bible gives me such joy, and I believe wholeheartedly that God encourages me in my endeavours. Usually this involves reading a passage and then finding a commentary that will assist in deepening my understanding. Other times, I will listen to a sermon and then go to the particular piece of scripture that is preached about. Timothy Keller is my favourite preacher to listen to for this because he goes deep into the various meanings Scripture is teaching us.

And then there are the moments when I feel that God’s Word speaks to me personally. These are my most favourite of all contemplations, usually in the practise of Lectio Divina. An example of this was a time when I was enjoying Psalm 23. This short Psalm spoke to me personally from every line. It’s gentle tone and soothing rhythm immediately relaxed me, allowing me to engage and encouraging me to pause. To be still with Psalm 23 is no effort at all. The opening lines are ones that I often speak to myself throughout each day because they serve as a reminder that all is well and as it’s meant to be. With the turmoil and dissatisfaction in the world at present, these two opening lines serve as a reminder that God is in control. On consistent reading over a period of a week in the practise of Lectio Divina, it occurred to me that because the Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need but also, having Him as my shepherd, He ensures I have all that I need. There is nothing that life on earth can give me that is greater or more important than my relationship with God; this is how I’m fully equipped for living.

Psalm 23 reads like a meandering journey, as out in the fields, the Shepherd leads me to green pastures and cool waters and the gentle contemplative meander builds new strength. It’s recuperative as only God’s creation in nature can be. I walk the path confident in His promise that His rod will beat off my attackers and He will tenderly hook me back onto the path with His staff. This illustration of pure love combats any fear I may have. Journeys end is a banquet where I am the honoured guest, and my cup is filled with abundance. My emotional enemies of worry, anxiety, regrets, or disappointments cannot overwhelm me; they are forced to one side and become onlookers of the generosity of God toward me. God doesn’t just bless me and leave me there, though, He blesses me until my cup of life is full and then we dwell in His house together; and a house becomes a home once someone lives there so my final vision is one of me resting in front of a fireside with God, at peace.

When I experience this type of interaction with God, I know absolutely that the grumpy teacher from my childhood was grossly wrong. The Lord created us to not only think, but to feel and understand in our own unique ways.

I would love to know if you have a favourite practise when contemplating Scripture. Please share it with us because it can be empowering for us to try different methods.

Author

  • Sally

    After the unexpected death of her husband, Sally became inspired to form Ageing Gratefully, a platform designed to encourage women to appreciate growing older. We live in a society that will have women believe that ageing is negative when it is, in fact, a normal and natural part of being alive. Ageing is the gift of a longer life. Sally has been invited to speak at women’s ministries on finding God amidst the more challenging seasons in life through gratefulness. She has two children and lives on the coast in Western Australia with her two very cute cavoodles.

    View all posts

Published by Sally

After the unexpected death of her husband, Sally became inspired to form Ageing Gratefully, a platform designed to encourage women to appreciate growing older. We live in a society that will have women believe that ageing is negative when it is, in fact, a normal and natural part of being alive. Ageing is the gift of a longer life. Sally has been invited to speak at women’s ministries on finding God amidst the more challenging seasons in life through gratefulness. She has two children and lives on the coast in Western Australia with her two very cute cavoodles.

11 replies on “Devotional | You’re Not Here to Think…You’re Here to do as You’re Told!”

  1. I like to see if a word or phrase jumps out at me, then use a concordance (Strongs for iPhone!) to see where else it was used and if that adds a layer of meaning. It rounds out my understanding a bit, and often takes me on rabbit trails through other words. Nerdy, maybe, but I love the way God uses language to deepen our understanding of Him and His ways.

    1. Thanks Rebekah. I love those rabbit trails too 😊 you never know where God will take you but you can always be certain it’s worth following. Like you I love discovering the hidden meanings of the original Biblical words. So rich. 😊

  2. What a lovely thought about Psalm 23 being “like a meandering journey, as out in the fields”. Thank you Sally, I’m taking this thought as I wander out in my paddock today.

    My husband and I have our favourite practise of reading Scripture together every morning and discussing it before we go about our day. We’ve both been amazed at how much this simple practise has helped us to grow a deeper understanding of God together. Because we bring our own perspectives, personalities and gifts together and create that space for both of us, God uses that time to grow us as a couple and build on our understanding of Him.

    1. Hi Suzie
      What an incredibly precious time for you and your husband to spend with God. That is truely special. I remember a pastor once commenting on how, when a couple both have their focus on God they are both moving in the same direction. It makes for a strong relationship.
      I’m so pleased you enjoyed my piece and took the thought of Psalm 23 out with you 😊
      Thank you for taking the time to comment ☺️

  3. I love listening to the preachers who make you think. Timothy Keller is definitely a favourite, so to is Shane Willard. We live in a time when deep thinking and asking questions is allowed and encouraged. And it is a wonderful revelation to know that I don’t have to be right, just open to Him .

    1. Hi Meredith
      Thank you for introducing me to the name Shane Willard. I’m unfamiliar with him but will now take a listen. It’s so good to be in this era of deep thinking and questioning to grow our faith. Thank you for taking the time to comment 😊

  5. Thank you so much Sally for this insightful piece. I love the daily devotions that land in my inbox and often find they fit perfectly for my day. I also love Every Day with Jesus – One year Bible. I find it helpful to cover the whole Bible in a year – as well as diving into the Bible Project. The more I know the more I know I don’t know. That’s why God’s Word is so exciting and refreshing. It is alive. God Bless you richly as you draw closer to Him.

    1. Thank you so much Teri. I don’t think we could ever exhaust the Bible of its revelations. You’re so right when you say that’s how it remains exciting and refreshing. Your daily devotional practice sounds beautiful and a blessed way to begin your day. Blessings to you too 😊

Comments are closed.