The Perfect Answer
This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. Isaiah 28:29 (KJV)
Once upon a time, I had a friend who would call and ask me for my opinion about what they were doing or planning to do. The conversation would go on forever (minimum of 60 minutes) and she would eventually say, “That is just what I was going to do anyway.” I wanted to ask why she was wasting my time but I refrained. Several times I told her I wasn’t a crystal ball and that I did not have all the right answers. Finally, I had to stop taking her calls and responding to emails but oh, the guilt she tried laying on me. Cynthia Ruchti (Mornings with Jesus) experienced a similar situation…only with a happier ending. Read on!
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I let the phone call go to voicemail. I didn’t answer an email from the same person moments later, although I did skim it to make sure it was an “emergency” only in the mind of the sender, not truly urgent. She needed guidance. Happy to offer it, I couldn’t at that moment. Other priorities consumed me.
I shot up a quick prayer, then attended to the needs in front of me.
Guilt? Sure. It was easy to let the guilt of putting off my friend, even temporarily, slide its smelly foot into where my focus had to be. But I recognized the odor of guilt and refused to let it linger. Trusting Jesus to see to the concerns of my friend, I applied myself to the task at hand.
It was hours before I could get back to the voicemail. When I did, an important life lesson waited for me.
My friend who had often leaned on me for counsel said, “It’s OK. When I couldn’t get you, I just took it to Jesus. I should have done that in the first place.”
The needs that kept me from responding gave my friend a far more perfect answer than I could have offered because she was pressed to go to the ultimate Counselor—Jesus.
How often have I phoned a friend, cried on someone’s shoulder, or run to the internet when a smarter first move would have been to seek Jesus on the subject. Thankfully, He always takes my calls.
FAITH STEP: The next time you’re tempted to text or phone a person for advice, call on Jesus instead.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your counsel. You are always ready to hear us as we bring our problems, questions, and thoughts to You. Teach us to prioritize and help us to come to You first. AMEN.