Putting the Cart Before the Horse

 Ezekiel 2:4-7 (NIV)  The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says.’ And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, do not be afraid … do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.

            The idiom with its many variations, putting the cart before the horse, dates back to about the 16^th century. The basic concept is that of doing things out of order. Perhaps this is what we need to consider today.

When God called Ezekiel to speak to the people of Israel, God warned Ezekiel that they were a stubborn and rebellious people. He told Ezekiel many times not to be afraid. He also told Ezekiel that the people might listen, or they might not, but either way Ezekiel was to obey.

So how does this relate to us? And what does it have to do with putting the cart before the horse? Yesterday I had coffee with a dear friend and we discussed how for us, the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives was not so much some audible-flashing-lights-fireworks type of experience as it seemed to be the gentle “nudging” to go speak to someone, send a card, or give an encouraging word. If we wait until we have enough courage, have enough confidence, or if we wait until the other person is “ready,” or until we have more time, then the opportunity slips past and that moment can never be retrieved. That’s what we have a tendency to do—put the cart before the horse—wait until conditions are just right before responding to the nudging of the Holy Spirit. Now to be clear, it isn’t that we face stubborn or rebellious people as Ezekiel did, or that our message is as potent as Ezekiel’s was; it’s just that we have a tendency to use the same excuses e.g., lack of confidence, fear of what others might think or say, fear of acceptance, etc. My encouragement to you today would be to act on those small nudgings of your heart for most likely it is the Holy Spirit’s quiet work within your life to encourage others.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Thank you for the opportunities you provide for us to encourage others. Forgive us when you nudge our hearts and we fail to respond. Help us to lay aside our fears and excuses. May we faithfully share your message of hope with others.

            In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The devotional Putting the Cart Before the Horse appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com