Monday Discussion
Stop.
Just stop.
Whatever you are doing, whatever you are planning, stop.
Give yourself to this moment.
Ask just one question.
Are you ready for it?
I don’t think you are. I’m not sure I am either.
You’re thinking about what to eat, or the text message that just came in, or the response you want from the last text message you sent, or what’s on TV, or what time it is, or what your spouse will say when they find out about the ding in the car door, or when you are going to fit a trip to the grocery store into your schedule, or if your car has enough gas, or when your husband will be home from work, or when your wife will, or when your child’s game starts or ends, or bacon, a lot of you are thinking about bacon.
You’re thinking about what the question might be.
You’re thinking about all the things you could or “should” be doing besides reading this post or the other five posts you have lined up that you think might make some type of qualitative difference in your life, or marriage, or ministry, or happiness, or effectiveness.
You just want me to get to the question that I asked you to stop everything for.
Though you have only read 200 words you are already impatient and want me to get to the point. “What is the question that this guy thinks is so important? What is the one question I should give myself to in this moment?”
It’s the question that all of us should be giving ourselves to in every moment–especially those of us who are under the redemptive wings of God, especially those who bow their knees to Christ as Lord.
Are you ready for the question? Are you willing to stop everything and give yourself to the question? Am I? Are we willing to make everything after the answer we get be a response to the answer we get? Are we willing to give ourselves to thinking about the answer to the question with all of our being, yes, even our heart, mind, soul and strength?
Here’s the question:
What does God want me to do?
Simple.
What does God want me to do?
Get a Bible, a pen and paper out. Spend some time in prayer.
Based on what you know of His word and His will, based on your responsibilities in life, and gifting, and opportunities, what does God want you to do? Are there relationships to be mended? Are there tasks to be done? Are there encouragements to give? Are there hard conversations to be started?
Do it.
That is the one question and the one response that matters today. Doing what you know God calls you to do today is the first concern of every day. And it is the one thing we don’t take enough time to think about.
It’s also the beginning of a life-long adventure.
Let’s do it.
Today.
ChosenRebel's Blog 
Funny how that fits into a couple of conversations I’ve had today. Think I should be listening???????
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If the question is that important, that really isn’t that surprising. Let’s pray that we both would model honestly asking it every day so that those we mentor will go beyond us.
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Brought over from Facebook
Gilbert Russell
Love this…….easy to do, also easy not to do, so pray for me to develop the discipline….
Like · Reply · February 7 at 2:46pm
Marty Schoenleber Jr
Amen. Pray for me too.
Like · Reply · 1 · February 7 at 4:18pm
Gilbert Russell
Will do Pastor!!!
Like · Reply · February 7 at 4:18pm
Chris Kaiser
Marty, very nice post. Great challenge, because I think most of us pray with too much specificity. We ask god to GIVE us what WE think will make us happy (material things such as money, job, relationship, house, etc), believing that when we achieve such material happiness, we’re more likely — and more able — to do his will.
But that type of prayer has a narrow focus on US and OUR physical needs. How can our myopic desires compare to the infinite expanse of possibilities at the fingertips of the divine?
The more humanly difficult but spiritually rewarding path would be to sit in silence with an open heart and listen for guidance, when the question is simply — How can I express your unconditional love today, with no attachment to the outcome.
Like · Reply · 3 hrs ·
Marty Schoenleber Jr
Thanks Chris. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.
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