trbccoffeebreak

“He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28 (NIV)

Pumpkin, eggs, oil, sugar and now to add in the flour, spices, baking powder and salt. Phone rings and my batter is left sitting on the counter. Moments later I return and pour it into the pan for baking. Nothing brings on Fall like the smell of pumpkin muffins straight out the oven – yummy!

One bite – not quite what I expected. Two bites and something definitely wasn’t right. Rechecking my recipe, I confirmed all the ingredients. So what went wrong? Retracing my steps revealed the culprit. When I returned from my phone call, I forgot to stir the batter completely after adding baking powder and salt. What looked like well mixed ingredients were actually lumpy clumps that left a bad taste in my mouth when unstirred.

Wonder if that ever happens to us when God stirs our heart? We’re sitting in church and the pastor’s words stick. Or perhaps, we hear a song and the lyrics penetrate provoking deep emotion. Maybe we’re sitting with friends enjoying a pumpkin spice latte and God’s intervention in their life challenges us. Perhaps we’re curled up with His Word or praying and conviction stirs deep within us. All reminders that something needs to be changed or a response is needed.

Ever felt God’s stirring and walked away unchanged? Our intentions were good, but our actions were lacking. A distraction pulled us away. The moment slipped through our fingers, and God’s stirring in us didn’t produce His desired results.

Unmixed stirrings left clumped yield undesirable results. Change only occurs when we allow His stirrings to be complete, thorough, totally mixed until our yucky is transformed into His beauty. The life that truly glorifies God is the one that welcomes and invites His holiness to penetrate us from the inside out. Embracing the stirring yields the benefits of obedience like we’ve known before. And nothing is sweeter than know our Father is well pleased with us.

“Sweet Jesus, gently You speak, compel, and invite us to partake of Your righteousness – help us to respond without delay.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life