"Can you write the word sand for me, please?"
I looked at the result, somewhat puzzled. Connor wrote bench.
"Can you read to me what you've just written?"
Slowly moving his finger from one letter to the next, he said each sound out loud, “B-e-n-c h.”
"Okay, now say the word.”
“Sand,” Connor said, smiling at me and looking proud of himself.
As Connor’s teacher, the incident nearly gave me a heart attack. It had an aura of innocence and purity about it. Connor desperately wanted to make me happy.
Not so with adults. When the Holy Spirit whispers something in our ear, we go deaf if we don't like the message. We continue to write our own autobiography that's full of "us" and has little from God in it.
Paul challenges weak discipleship. He wants to see a change in Christ-followers—in their way of life, attitude, and character.
Christ's disciples develop a new character that resists the craving for power and pleasure, one that involves a pure mind guided by truth. This comes naturally when one puts off the worldly self and puts on Christ's identity.
Just keep listening. God wants us to hear and respond to His every word.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Elena Verigo teaches children with learning difficulties and writes for online parenting magazines. She is also involved in prison ministry, as well as peace and integration work. Elena loves going on retreats to convents and monasteries. She lives and works in England, U.K.