Signposts – the cost of not paying attention

Unaware

You know those days when life was ticking along nicely, it was one like that: I was working from home and on my lunch break when Doyin entered the kitchen and uttered the words “this is yours”, the glee in her voice was unmistakable. I knew something was up, that something was a notice from Warwickshire Police about their intention to prosecute me for speeding.

It had been Saturday the 13th of July, the family was returning from a fantastic experience at a Fred Hammond worship concert. My wife had driven 2 hours to the concert and the return leg had fallen on the better driver (a claim that explains “the glee” I had sensed in her voice as she handed me the notice). I vaguely remember a light flash as I drove through a variable speed zone which captured my 56mph in a controlled 50mph zone. I was now facing a certain 3 points on my licence given only 2 years ago I had avoided the points with an opportunity for a Driving Awareness Course for a similar offence, it seems I had not learnt my lesson. If only I had noticed and obeyed those speed limit signs.

Our actions (or inactions) have consequences, no matter how well-intentioned those actions are; mine was to get us home as soon as possible so we could rest after a lovely, but tiring day, however, that does not excuse ignoring the speed signs and breaking the law. The consequence was 3 points which has a knock-on effect on the cost of car insurance. What does this have to do with marriage?

Attention to God’s Will

In his letter to Christians at Ephesus, Paul admonishes them to look carefully how you walk, as wise people knowing what God’s will is –

Ephesians 5:15–21 (ESV):
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the  best use of the time, because the days are  evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Knowing God’s will comes from the written word, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:2 (ESV):
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

John 14:26 (ESV):
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Obedience = rock solid

I woke up this morning (of drafting this post) mildly upset with my darling wife, the previous night she had been on the phone in bed, so I could not nod off until she ended the call. While I was having my quiet time downstairs, I mulled over the various ways I could lovingly tell her how I had been mildly irritated by the call but sensed the Holy Spirit nudging me not to mention it. When I returned to our bedroom it crossed my mind again as she got up, but exercised restraint. A few seconds later her lips were planted on mine telling me how much she loved me. That simple act of obeying the Holy Spirit had ended in a most romantic moment that set both of us up for a pleasant day.

Imagine for a moment if I had not obeyed or been sensitive to hear the Holy Spirit. No matter how lovingly my attempt to bring up the night before was, I doubt it would have ended in the romantic moment we experienced. I wish I could boast of the many times issues ended this way, sadly I have more stories of disobedience than otherwise. There are times I sense the Holy Spirit curtailing my behaviour in a particular area or nudging me to do something God’s word demands of me, but my feelings get in the way, and so act otherwise. We may not receive a ticket to prove our disobedience but be assured it is not building towards God’s design for our marriage if we are ignoring or not paying attention to his guidance.

Our lives are to be built on God’s word with the help of the Holy Spirit, this is how we build on the rock, and when the storms of life hit our house will remain standing because of what it is built on.

Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV):

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine  and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been  founded on the rock.