July, 2025

Growing up and doing what is called for in each situation as it arises is all there is to it. All there is to our life. It is more difficult than it might appear to be.

Growing is the hardest part. We all grow up against our will. That is what growing up is. Learning to do what we do not want to do, when, where and how it needs to be done. We have to do what we do not want to do IN THE RIGHT WAY!!! IN THE RIGHT PLACE!!! AT THE RIGHT TIME!!! Think, changing the baby's diaper every time the baby's diaper needs to be changed. The way the baby's diaper needs to be changed. Thinking about that will give us a sense of what we are up against.

And then there is the silence, which includes emptiness and stillness. The three are one. And they are essential to growing up because that is where we glean direction and focus. What is called for comes to us in the silence. We are not the source for knowing what is called for. The silence is the source. We drop into the silence in a regular and routine way, becoming as empty as the space between breaths, and wait to see/hear/understand what is called for.

This what Jesus meant when he said, "Pray always." He meant, "Live out of the silence." We look to the silence to direct our life. To lead us to what is called for here, now in each situation as it arises, all our life long. It is not about partying hearty and passing a good time. It is about seeing, hearing, knowing, doing, being.

Seeing, hearing, knowing, doing what is called for and being aligned with when, where, and how it needs to be done.

Our life is our devotional duty. Our life brings us forth in ways that surprise us because we do not know what we have within until we find ourselves exhibiting strengths and talents we have no idea are there until circumstances call them forth.

I discovered I could talk to an audience in a Freshman speech class at the college I attended in Natchitoches, Louisiana. We had to give a demonstration speech. I brought an ironing board and an iron and demonstrated ironing a shirt. No notes, just talking to people about ironing a shirt. I've never been so amazed. And I made a career of preaching. None of which would I ever have imagined if it weren't for that demonstration speech.

We are packed with tools and abilities and affinities we don't know we have. Our life will pull them out of us--if we cooperate and stay out of the way.