Proverbs 10:17

Those who guard discipline are on the way to life, but those who abandon correction wander aimlessly.

Guard discipline.

Whatever you do everyday is what you are heading toward.  Those practices you protect and make habit lead to a life characterized by said practices.

What do you do everyday?

Who do you want to be?

What do you need to be doing everyday to become that person?

Who is someone you admire?  What do you think they do everyday?  What is their rhythm of life?

Mark 13:11

And when they put you on trial and hand you over, don’t work out beforehand what you are going to say, but say whatever is given you at that moment.  It won’t be you speaking, you see, but the Holy Spirit.

We have also found this to be true for us here today.  As we trust the Holy Spirit for the words to say in the moment, we find that then the best and most life-giving words come out, because they flow from the Holy Spirit and not our own finite minds.  We are not to be the nervous salesperson desperately needing to say the exact right words in the right combination, but rather the calm, dependent apprentice who relies on our Teacher’s words and life to give life to others.

Working out all your words before speaking with someone, or even a group of someones is limiting and can take you away from the present moment and from actually listening.  It can fuel agenda instead of a listening presence which is what Christ offers us each moment.  And which is more healing–set words, or Spirit-inspired words appropriate to the moment?

Sure, there is preparation, but could it be that all the preparation we need is done in our daily bonding with Jesus?  Like proverbs tells us, The horse is made ready for battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.  Make yourself ready.  Yourself.  Not your necessarily your presentation.  Then, when called upon, you will be ready since the Spirit is flowing thru you.  You will be so attuned to the moment and the needs right before you.

Reliance.

God desires our reliance on Him.  For He is all-wise and gracious, wanting to help us in time of need, wanting to give us words of healing and power for the moment.  As we consciously grow in our dependence on him each moment, let go, and trust Him to come thru. We will be amazed and encouraged at what He will do in our life and others we commune with.

Trust.

Only trust Him.

Only trust Him.

Only trust Him now.