Take time to stop, look and listen
When I was in grade school, I remember being taught to do three things when approaching a railroad crossing: “Stop, Look and Listen.”
By doing so, we would be sure to detect an approaching train even if the warning lights were not working.
I am persuaded that we would do well to apply this same approach as we confront the daily challenges of the time in which we are now living.
I advance this approach because every human being is special in the eyes of God. He knows each of us as individuals and what is best for us.
As we endure the daily bombardment of data and opinion surrounding COVID 19, sensory overload quickly sets in.
This is when we have to “stop,” turn off the TV, silence the radio, shut down the computer and get off social media.
This is when we must take some time to “look” into the word of God and “listen” to what he has to say to us.
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
When we listen to Him, we are comforted and refreshed because, “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Psalm 46:11
No other power in heaven or in earth is greater than Him because He is God and the creator of all things, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
No other power in heaven or on Earth is greater than Him, “…the LORD Most High is terrible (awe-inspiring); he is a great King over all the earth.” Psalm 47:2
As we continue to “stop, look and listen,” we see God's “awe-inspiring” power manifested in His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior, “...the high priest over the house of God.” Hebrews 10:21
As the high priest of his church, it is Christ and Christ alone who continually intercedes for the church before the face of God.
As the high priest of his church, it is Christ and Christ alone who is the true holiness of the church and the life of our faith. Hebrews 10:19
As the high priest of his church, it is Christ and Christ alone to whom the church answers in all things in heaven and in earth, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2
All of us have an individual responsibility before God and Christ.
“For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord (Jesus), every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So, then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 11:12
Will you take some time to “stop, look and listen” today? I hope you will. It will be time well spent, for sure.
Pastor Larry Thompson is an ordained minister and member of First Baptist Church of Butler.
