Monday was a frustrating day for my friend April and I. April is not only my friend, but I also have the privilege of working with her. She is a very gifted consultant and facilitator.
We had been called to work with a board who has a newly appointed board member by the governor. The board had been functioning at a high level and was concerned that they were losing their effectiveness. April was doing the work with them, but I felt as though it just might be good if I was there. I got there about two hours after they started and was very glad that I was there. This new member had talked incessantly for the first two hours and the frustration in the room was palpable. No matter what anyone said, this board member had a response. He did not hesitate to say that he disagreed with what we were saying, regardless that it was written in state law. He just would NOT listen and refused to see how his behavior was having a negative impact on the board. Even after I suggested that he might want to listen to his colleagues, he didn’t. He knew it all.
My aha moment with this story was probably the same as yours. How many times do you think God is TRYING to tell us something and we already know the answer? How many times during the day do you think God knocks on our door and we don’t listen because WE are in control. I wonder if He gets as frustrated with us as April and I were?
Revelation 3:20 says;” Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” I think this simply says that if you will open the door when we hear His knock, He will take care of us. BUT… we need to listen.
April and I left dejected and exhausted. We felt as though it had been a waste of time. When the board member called the office to speak to my boss the next day, I just knew we had upset him. The funny part is, he called to tell her how WONDERFUL the session was and how much he learned. April and I were both flabbergasted. Maybe she and I were supposed to learn the lesson about listening. I think I’ll ask God and LISTEN for His answer.
Shine, Shine, Shine!
Tina