Ready:
“Yet they didn’t listen or pay attention but walked according to their own advice and according to their own stubborn, evil heart. They went backward and not forward.” -예레미야 7:24
Set:
In the passage from Jeremiah, God is speaking about the Israelites and their hardened heart towards Him. He’s referencing the time after He delivered them out of Egypt. Because they had been slaves for a long time, He gave them a command to help transition them into freedom. “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you” (Jeremiah 7:23).
He’s the Coach, they’re the athlete. Simple, right? The problem came when they wouldn’t listen or pay attention. They chose to walk according to their own advice and what they wanted to do. Do you have a teammate like that? Stubborn, self-centered, uncoachable, resistant to direction or instruction? Is that you?
The importance of cultivating a teachable, listening heart goes far beyond creating a good sport environment on the team. It truly determines whether you are going forward or backward in life. This goes for listening and receiving instruction from those in authority over you, but most importantly it deals with your ability to pay attention, listen to and obey what God says. The more we try to do things our own way, the farther we set ourselves back in life. Why? Because the One who created us has a perfect plan for our lives. When we pay attention and listen to what He says in His Word and obey what His Spirit is saying to guide us daily, that moves us forward in the plan God has for us.
It can be difficult to forfeit your way to obey the way of the coach. But consider the benefits. It takes you forward in your sport and in your skill. They’re the coach, after all. They know best. You can trust them. With God, obeying His voice always works in our favor. Why wouldn’t we walk forward with a God like that?
Go:
Are you moving forward or backward in your walk with God?
Specifically identify one “backward” habit in your life. Create a prayer plan to address it.
Specifically identify one “forward” habit you can cultivate in your life by looking for a Scripture that addresses your backward habit.
Workout:
Overtime:
“Dear Heavenly Father, please examine my heart so I can truly see its trajectory. If it is backwards, please change my heart. If it is forward, please continue to transform my heart through Your Word. I desire to listen to Your words and pay attention to and obey the way You are leading me to walk. I know the joys I will experience as I walk forward with You in obedience will far outweigh anything I can create on my own. In Jesus’ name, amen.”