Listen for the second word.

This might be a bit obscure...   and I might have said it before in a previous advent blog, I can't remember.  So if you dont understand what this is about  don't fret.  It isnt for you at this time and that's just fine and dandy.

Let me tell you a story.......

A long time ago there was this old chap called Abraham.  Abraham listened to God.  When God said ' Go outside your tent'  Abraham went outside.   When God said ' Look up'  Abraham looked up.   And because Abraham listened to God and then did what God said ,. God called Him His friend.
One day God told Abraham to take his only son up to the top of a hill and sacrifice him.   Abraham knew God well enough to know that there must be good reason for this request.   Whilst he really did not want to obey, nor did he understand what God was up to (this looked like the very opposite of everything God had promised)  he nevertheless called his son and proceeded up the mountain.
Abraham was good at listening.  When he heard something he didnt want to hear he did not make excuses or pretend he'd made a mistake.  He didnt argue with God or plead with Him to change His mind.  He didnt decide to just disobey and wait to see what would happen next.   He heard and he obeyed.

And of course we all know what happened next.  Just as he was about to sacrifice his son as God had asked him to, Abraham heard the second word.

He heard the second word.

The first word said sacrifice your son.  The second word said ' Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”   Gen 22 12 The second word contradicted the first word.   What would have happened if Abraham hadnt heard the second word?  Even in the distress and the confusion and presumably the struggle of the moment, when he had got his only beloved son tied up and lying on a pyre ready to burn as an offering.... even then Abraham was listening.   I dont know about you but I'm not all that great at listening when all is calm and quiet and when I'm focused on God and I'm ready to hear something.   I'm downright rubbish at it when I'm in the middle of a crisis!  I think what I learn about Abraham from this story was that even in the middle of the biggest crisis of his life he was focused on God not on himself or on the crisis.
And that's what enabled him to hear the second word.

So......  if you are reading this and you are in the place where you feel God has asked you to lay down everything you have been aiming for for the past..well, forever, be prepared to do it, but LISTEN FOR THE SECOND WORD.   The second word might well be the same as the first.  But it might be something radically different.   Don't focus on the thing you are laying down.  Don't turn inwards and start listening to yourself or you might just miss that crucial next instruction.  God does sometimes ask difficult things of us.  But sometimes it is not to adjust our circumstances it is to test our attitude.

And Im not really sure what any of this has to do with Advent.  but it has been on my mind today and I felt I should share it.   If it has been helpful in any way I would be greatly encouraged to hear so.

Lord I pray that in this new year You will help me to listen well and to obey readily without question or hesitation.   When things are difficult and unclear - that's the time I need most to hear You.  Give me the courage to change course when You indicate that that is what is required.  Regardless of what others may think.  Keep me focused on You whatever my circumstances so that when the time comes when I might need to hear it, I can clearly hear the second word.

Amen