When I was a child I loved to play checkers. My most fierce competition was my brother Andrew. Those Saturday mornings were serious...best 2 out of 3...no, no best 3 out of 4! The competition was intense! I use to love to make the first move...still don't know why I felt like that gave me the advantage...but nevertheless I had to...so its game time and we stare at the board often times staying in that decisive mode for 5 to 10 minutes! Playing checkers was all about me...oh and you better not try to voice your opinion or thoughts on what my next move should be..."I got this" is what I would proclaim to you. Checker players need their space and need to think independently in order to become successful. Outside influences, while in the game, are not helpful nor is it recommended if you want to be better, bigger and boisterous! So how do I tie God into all of this and how is hearing him and listening to him compare to a simple checker game? Well unlike checkers...pursuing God seeking His wisdom is not a one sided affair...His word says, "If any man lacks wisdom let him ask God who gives to men generously without finding fault and it will be given to you" (James 1:5). When walking with God we see as well that the way up is down and what I mean by that is, "Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and He will exalt you" ( James 4:10). Checkers requires only you: your intellect, your wisdom, your insight so to speak...when you interpret that you get: I, I, I, Me, Me, Me....which equates to a prideful outlook on things. We know clearly that, "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). One thing that I noticed about checkers (and I hope you have too) is the fact that they do not speak neither do they have the capability to speak. While walking with God you soon discover that He speaks. Not only does He speak He will direct your path, when you trust in Him with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5). Over time I have learned how to hear Him when He speaks and follow His lead. I must admit that I struggled to understand how to follow His lead. After learning how to hear His voice, I would take it and run with it without actually praying before I attempted to describe what I believed He meant when He spoke. It's not that its difficult its a matter of breaking away from being in control or better yet doing it my way. When I played checkers against my brother Andrew I didn't seek God's council (didn't need to) I made my own decisions and my own moves. Often times in life we pray earnestly and are certain we feel that God is leading us in a certain direction. In spite of the clarity we receive in the spirit, we move contrary to what was revealed. God may be leading you to leave your city or a particular job, etc. Without seeking Him more one may assume that "I have to leave tomorrow" when that may not be the case. Seek God when you hear Him, when you desire to know more. God is a speaking God and where He leads He guides and where He guides He provides. When God spoke to Abraham, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). Abraham was "looking for a city whose builder and maker was God" (Hebrews 11:10). Trusting God is not like playing checkers....but I encourage you to trust Him when you can't trace Him...know that your life is in His hands. Let Him take the wheel, it's a lot easier riding in the backseat.
