I found this to be humorous because I have done the “push” when the instructions said “pull,” and pulled (really hard) when the instructions said “push.” And then almost instantaneously, I look around to see who may have seen me act so foolishly. Am I alone here in this? Any of my Girlfriends out there willing to stand up and throw me a ‘high five?!’
Almost like going through life on cruise control ~~ making the safe assumptions that we automatically know the right thing to do ~~ in every situation ~~ without considering the instructions.
Micah 6:8 But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.
When I read this passage of Scripture, four key words highlight in my mind’s eye: fair and just, compassionate and loyal. Why? Because these are action words on our part.
God says right here: DO what is fair and just with your neighbor. That’s not always easy to do ~~ most of the time, we want to be fair and just when it results in a ‘good deal’ for us. But God didn’t say, “When it’s convenient ~~ or when you feel like it ~~ or when it’s a win situation for you.” He just said DO.
Then He adds be compassionate and loyal in your love. Compassion isn’t just sitting back and ‘feeling emotionally connected.’ It’s a behavioral response to a need ~~ someone else’s need. An example of compassion in the Bible is the Good Samaritan. He stopped to bend down and do something on someone else’s behalf. Loyalty in our love ~~ means it’s ‘faithfully 24/7.’ Both of these do not have conditional tags attached. Did you catch this: Be? That means ‘to exist,’ ‘to live,’ and ‘to breathe.’ Our compassion and our loyalty in love ‘exist’ without condition.
Here’s the clincher: “Don’t take yourself too seriously -~~ take God seriously.”
Cast aside your preconceived notions of what you think life should be ~~ push back the selfish desires to remain comfortable in your corner believing that you’ve got it all wrapped ~~ pull up close to The Word of God ~~ and let Him direct you.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
And I’m sure if you ask Him, God will also tell you when to push or pull.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend!
LindaRJohnson
T2T Visionary
Titus Two 