“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you” (Psalms 32:8-9 ESV).
A little boy was in church with his parents. As the service progressed he stood up on the pew. This happened a few times, and having sat him down each time he and his mother grew more and more frustrated. Finally, his mother pulled him down and, in a tone of voice we are all familiar with, told him, in no uncertain words, to stay sitting. The little boy sat down, crossed his arms, looked up at her and huffed, “I may be sitting on the outside, but I’m standing on the inside!”
We can be stubborn sometimes. Yes, even you! And in some respects, stubbornness isn’t a bad thing. We can be stubborn about compromise. We can refuse to stop doing what God has told us to do. “But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20 ESV).
But, unfortunately, we can be stubborn when the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin. We refuse to make a change in our lifestyles. After all, we’re not that bad! We refuse to speak when He prompts us because it is uncomfortable and we don’t want to offend someone by sharing Christ with them. We would rather be comfortable than share the saving knowledge of Jesus.
We can be stubborn when the offering plate comes around, too. That prompting that you should give that $20 bill in your purse or wallet, but the $5 bill finds its way into the plate instead.
We can be stubborn with our Bibles as well. We see that God clearly gives us direction, but lay hold of the first excuse to absolve us of obligation.
Obedience has a cost. Sometimes a high cost. We might be inconvenienced or even pay the ultimate price. But can we offer any less to the King who bore our sin?
God said, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you” (Psalms 32:8-9 ESV emphasis mine). What will it take for us to follow His leading? Does He need to force us to remain in His presence?
Blessings on your mindful day!
Skipping Stones 
Leave a Reply