I am a task-driven person. My brother and cousin are much different. They represent the attitude of “It will get done eventually, so why worry about it now?” When we recently took a forty hour road trip, conflict was inevitable.
I was determined to leave by 9AM on Monday morning unless some sort of natural disaster hit (in which case we would leave at 9:30). But by the time the other two said their good-byes, went out for breakfast, packed their bags, found their passports, and re-packed their bags, it was nearly 10:30! When I finally got them in the car I was determined to put some miles on the speedometer before the entire day was lost! By the time we pulled up to a Motel 6 it was nearly 2 in the morning and I was not a popular leader. I marched in, demanded a room, and dragged my party upstairs. I approached room 209 and stuck my key in the door. Nothing happened. I tried again; still nothing. I was growing impatient, so I did what any intelligent man would do; I tried it again. With the door still locked I turned to my cousin and ordered him to try his spare key. In frustration, he began swiping his card in and out of the door lock as fast as he could. It sounded like a woodpecker was pounding on the lock until it was drowned out by an even louder noise. This noise, however, came from inside the room. I thought we had just awakened The Cave of Wonders when a booming voice rang out: “WRONG ROOM!” My cousin turned white, “Ok,” he squeaked. I sheepishly pulled out the receipt to discover our room was number 219 not 209. My popularity had just taken another dive!
In my Christian life I often find myself rushing to serve God, but failing to check with Him first. When it seems like God is not blessing my efforts, I get confused and angry. I cry out in frustration because I am serving Him with all my heart and He doesn’t even seem to be happy with me! This is when God gently reminds me that He is the Lord of my life. He has a will; I was just too busy to listen. We can get so caught up in serving God that we don’t seek His will first! It’s no use pouring our hearts into serving God if it’s not what He wants us to do. Had I taken the time to listen at the front desk of the hotel I would have known that, no matter how hard I tried, my key would not work because it was the wrong room. The next time we attempt something for God, let’s wait on Him to give His approval first, otherwise we may get stuck at a locked door.
Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day. Psalm 25:4-5
Mike Blackaby is 25 years old and is the college and young adult pastor at First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, GA. Mike loves to play music, loves to snowboard, play hockey, and cheers for the Colorado Avalanche. He is terrified of spiders, but loves reading fantasy novels, watching movies, taking road trips, building camp fires, and will do any roller coaster if someone goes with him. You can contact him via Facebook.