08-25-00 - Rev. Sanderling

Ps 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Thy law. (NAS)

During a recent trip to the beach, I watched, puzzled, as little sanderlings dug away at what appeared to be very unproductive sand. I thought, "why don't these industrious little birds go where there is more water, more fish etc.?" But they obviously were culling something nourishing from that comparatively dry sand. I thought, "how many times have I sat in a church listening to what I considered a "dry" sermon, or read an article that seemed shallow, and thought I could not get anything out of it?" I have learned from personal experience, that with prayer and an open-hearted attitude, we can glean insights from any speaker or message. What are some ways we can do this?

1. Obviously, we need to pray before each service we attend and before we read an article or book. In fact, it could be revolutionary, if we make a habit of praying for each speaker we hear, that God will use them not only in our lives but those of others.

2. If we know ahead, the passages that will be touched on by a speaker, we can read them in several different versions of the Bible. For example, I find that reading from The Message, by Eugene Peterson, can give a fresh slant to a passage.

3. We can discuss what we have heard or seen, with a Christian friend-either someone else who was present, or even someone who was not. I find that sometimes my friends think of insights that I missed.

God can use any one or anything to bless us, if we are open to it. I hope you will join me in praying that we will have open hearts and minds, and that God will use everything we hear and read, to teach us.

Jan

jan@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org