May 22, 2020
When I was a kid, we had a “Magic 8 Ball”. One of us got it as a birthday present. Trust me, my mom would not have bought it. It was just a toy and we knew it (because my mom kept telling us) but we still asked it a million questions. We would shake it up while asking important things that we wanted to know. “Does Michael like me?” Shake, shake, flip it over… up floats the plastic triangular answer to the top of the bluish liquid…. “Don’t count on it”. Well, let’s just ask that again… Shake, shake, flip it over… “My sources say no”. One more time…. Shake, shake, flip it over…. “You may rely on it”. “I knew it! Michael likes me! Woo-hoo!” This is the optimistic response to the “Magic 8 Ball”. Just keep asking until you get the answer you want. The odds are ever in your favor because the triangular answer face “It is certain” is one of twenty possible responses, ten of which are positive. (5 are negative and 5 are non-committal…”Reply hazy… try again.”) For all of you non-Math people that means there is a 50% chance of a yes, so be sure and ask the question correctly. In other words, don’t ask “Am I ugly?”, ask “Am I pretty?”. Yes, I have asked the “Magic 8 Ball” that, but not lately. As humans, we are always seeking answers. We want to know what we should do, how things will work out, and when and why and why not. When we ask questions, how does God answer us? He is not going to light a bush on fire, like he did for Moses. He doesn’t speak out loud as he did to Adam and Eve or Noah. Talking to God is easy. He will always listen. But how can he help us if it is a one-sided conversation? God speaks to us in various ways, if we are of a mind to “listen”. He speaks to us through His Word (The Bible), through nature and all the beautiful things He created, through music, other believers, circumstances, the Holy Spirit, through prayer and meditation. I do not know all the ways that God speaks to us, but I have found that I hear Him best when I am still. And quiet. If I can quiet my mouth and my head long enough, God gives me comfort and quiets my heart. With a peaceful heart, it is much easier to relax, enjoy life and let God be in control. He holds the future in His hands. He knows what the plan is for our life. All we need to do is trust Him to take care of us. Jeremiah 29:11-13 says this: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest.” And Psalm 32:7-8 says: “You are my hiding place from every storm of life; you even keep me from getting into trouble! You surround me with songs of victory. I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress.” God will take care of you. You may rely on it. It is certain! Smile and be joyful!
When I was a kid, we had a “Magic 8 Ball”. One of us got it as a birthday present. Trust me, my mom would not have bought it. It was just a toy and we knew it (because my mom kept telling us) but we still asked it a million questions. We would shake it up while asking important things that we wanted to know. “Does Michael like me?” Shake, shake, flip it over… up floats the plastic triangular answer to the top of the bluish liquid…. “Don’t count on it”. Well, let’s just ask that again… Shake, shake, flip it over… “My sources say no”. One more time…. Shake, shake, flip it over…. “You may rely on it”. “I knew it! Michael likes me! Woo-hoo!” This is the optimistic response to the “Magic 8 Ball”. Just keep asking until you get the answer you want. The odds are ever in your favor because the triangular answer face “It is certain” is one of twenty possible responses, ten of which are positive. (5 are negative and 5 are non-committal…”Reply hazy… try again.”) For all of you non-Math people that means there is a 50% chance of a yes, so be sure and ask the question correctly. In other words, don’t ask “Am I ugly?”, ask “Am I pretty?”. Yes, I have asked the “Magic 8 Ball” that, but not lately. As humans, we are always seeking answers. We want to know what we should do, how things will work out, and when and why and why not. When we ask questions, how does God answer us? He is not going to light a bush on fire, like he did for Moses. He doesn’t speak out loud as he did to Adam and Eve or Noah. Talking to God is easy. He will always listen. But how can he help us if it is a one-sided conversation? God speaks to us in various ways, if we are of a mind to “listen”. He speaks to us through His Word (The Bible), through nature and all the beautiful things He created, through music, other believers, circumstances, the Holy Spirit, through prayer and meditation. I do not know all the ways that God speaks to us, but I have found that I hear Him best when I am still. And quiet. If I can quiet my mouth and my head long enough, God gives me comfort and quiets my heart. With a peaceful heart, it is much easier to relax, enjoy life and let God be in control. He holds the future in His hands. He knows what the plan is for our life. All we need to do is trust Him to take care of us. Jeremiah 29:11-13 says this: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest.” And Psalm 32:7-8 says: “You are my hiding place from every storm of life; you even keep me from getting into trouble! You surround me with songs of victory. I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress.” God will take care of you. You may rely on it. It is certain! Smile and be joyful!
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