His

God has been teaching me so much lately.  He is just really pouring into me things He knows I need to hear.  Hard truths, tough lessons but ones that will grow me into who He wants me to be.  More than anything in my life, I want to be His.  So as He is teaching me, I read this devotion by Oswald Chambers.  The focal verse is the one where Jesus tells the rich, young ruler he must sell all he has to follow Jesus.  A hard truth for a very rich, young man.  I was struck by Chambers words on this passage because though the passage was very familiar, Chambers brought out something new.  Chambers points out that Jesus says a tremendous amount to us that we listen to, but do not actually hear.  Jesus' words to the young man were hard to hear and harder to follow.  Chambers goes on to say:

This man understood what Jesus said. He heard it clearly, realizing the full impact of its meaning, and it broke his heart. He did not go away as a defiant person, but as one who was sorrowful and discouraged. He had come to Jesus on fire with zeal and determination, but the words of Jesus simply froze him. Instead of producing enthusiastic devotion to Jesus, they produced heartbreaking discouragement. And Jesus did not go after him, but let him go. Our Lord knows perfectly well that once His word is truly heard, it will bear fruit sooner or later. What is so terrible is that some of us prevent His words from bearing fruit in our present life. I wonder what we will say when we finally make up our minds to be devoted to Him on that particular point?

How often do I listen to the words of Jesus but not hear Him?  Monday night, I sat in Bible study listening to Beth and then speaking with some wonderful ladies and one thing right after another God was speaking truth into my life.  He was convicting me and encouraging me.  The next morning, I read this.  I am taking it as a challenge.  Our Lord knows that His Word will bear fruit...I know it, too.  The challenge is to not just listen to what He is saying but to hear Him and determine to be His.  My mind is made up.