Imagine a game of tug-o-war. Without both teams the rope would simply fall to the ground and there would be no game or fun.
Now imagine on one side of the rope is "listening" and on the other side is "doing." There is a tension between the two, but they are both needed.
We can't truly listen without it changing us in some way – our ideas, our knowledge, our way of living. We can't truly do anything without first listening – to our thoughts, to God's call, or to the voices of others.
We need both listening and doing.
And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
Genesis 18:6-8
“Actions speak louder than words!” My dad use to say that to me all the time.
There are a lot of actions in these three verses. They are full of Abraham and others doing things. Just like sometimes we need to stop and listen, sometimes we need to move and do.
Through our actions, we can bring about real change in the world. Abraham felt called to serve the Lord. His actions led him to provide a restful stop for the Lord.
What do our actions do? What changes are we working to bring about in the world?
Andrew Noe
Lord, may my actions today please you. Guide me so that my actions bring about positive change in the world. Amen.
Today is a day of tug-o-war,
Listening and doing pulling at you.
Sometimes listening is more important;
In other moments we are called to action.
In both, God is present.
Pray for God's guidance to know when
You should do and when you should listen.