November 21, 2024 Pause for the Lord
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Pause for the Lord
The righteous heart reflects before answering,
but the wicked mouth blurts out evil.
Proverbs 15:28, CEB
A friend recently shared a story about Corrie Ten Boom, the courageous woman imprisoned during World War II for hiding Jewish people from the Nazis. In an interview, a reporter asked Corrie a tough question about forgiving her enemies. Instead of jumping in with an answer, Corrie said, “Just a moment. Let me ask the Lord.” She turned away, bowed her head, and prayed. After a moment of selah (or pause), she looked up and answered.
What a powerful example! Corrie’s story reminded me of when I worked at a call center for a financial firm. We trained associates to avoid saying, “I think,” to ensure they were giving fact-based answers and not personal opinions. When unsure, we coached them to pause before answering and check their reliable resources or refer to the firm’s core beliefs to guide investors correctly.
Corrie Ten Boom embodied our need first to turn to and pause for the Lord, even when we think we know the answer. Before speaking impulsively, allow Him to reveal true rightness—or righteousness – through our most reliable resources – His Word and His Holy Spirit in us.
Reflect: When are you most tempted to answer or comment quickly, relying on your own understanding instead of pausing to seek God’s guidance? How might your answers change if you, like Corrie Ten Boom, took a moment to pray and listen for God’s guidance before speaking?
Pray: Lord, teach me to pause and come to You first. Help me quiet my own thoughts and lean on Your wisdom, trusting You to guide my words and actions. Give me the humility to seek Your truth above my own understanding. Amen.
By His Grace,
Gloria Ashby
Lay Leader