The Last Word
“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28
Spending time with my grandchildren this summer has brought much joy. Each of them has their special ways into my heart. My two-year old grandson, Asher is full of so many words. He will mimic anything that you say. He called to me, “Grammy, Grammy, come with me.” I followed him into the toy closet where he pointed to the old can of tinker toys that was left over from when his dad was a boy. I was shocked when he said, “May I have that please?” What? This boy is only two! I am amazed at his long sentences, but I am stunned by how he listens and repeats the last word that he hears. No matter what you say to him, he always repeats the last word spoken.
Do you want to go swimming? Swimming.
Would you like some fruit? Fruit.
You are so cute! Cute.
This is fun! Fun!
How powerful this could be in my life if I mimicked Asher in my relationship with God. If I would listen carefully to what God says and repeat the last word spoken. I think I would listen more intently. As I read back through many journal post, I often find that the words I penned with great passion were quickly forgotten. I marched on forward looking for the next new word, but left the treasure of the last word.
Then he told them many things in parables, saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it didn’t have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whosoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 13: 3-9
When God speaks, it is no small thing. It is to be heard, remembered and obeyed. There is so much noise surrounding us that it takes great focus to listen. His word is seed planted into our hearts to grow and produce kingdom fruit. The enemy comes to snatch away any good seed. I think I will start repeating what I read in His word.
You are loved. Loved!
You are mine. Mine!
You are forgiven. Forgiven!
You are my disciple. Disciple.
Go. Go!
Love your neighbor. Neighbor!
Weary, come to me and rest. Rest!
I think Nana is catching on, Asher! You can join us if you want. Read, listen, close out the noise and repeat to God the last word.
Lord, slow my heart and my mind to listen intently. Repeating back to you by obeying the last word that you spoke.