Time Out

"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."  (Isaiah 59:1-2)

 

Have you ever watched a child that is in "time out"? Well, I have, and they don't like it too well. They are isolated, in a sense, because they can't be a part of the activities where the good stuff is going on, they have to sit still and think about what they did to get them  there in the first place. I've often seen how a child will inch out of their corner or off their seat a little bit at a time to see what they can see or cry like crazy, fighting against the lesson trying to be taught; which delays their "time out" even more.  The parent is more than able and very willing to go get them out, yet for the betterment of the child, they don't! Bad behavior yields consequences of discipline, so someday, the child will learn to do the right and honest things in life and steer clear of the bad.

So often we get upset when we think God isn't listening or moving; but how often do we stop to reflect upon the fact that it may be that we can't hear Him or have stayed His hand because our sin has caused Him to hide himself from us for a moment...essentially, He has placed us in "Time Out"! 

When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee (Proverbs 2:10-12 )

When I read those two verses this morning, the Lord brought something to my attention...one of my kids was having some trouble sharing this past summer, needless to say they had a few "time outs" because of it; but, once they truly got a hold of WHY it was a good thing to share, they began to feel differently toward it and that "understanding" brought about "discretion" each time they  started to not share their things, eventually leading to a much more peaceful and happy time when playing...no more time outs for not sharing.     Wise little kid huh? 

When we truly begin to listen to The Lord and reflect upon the truth of His word; He fills us with the knowledge of His goodness. When we apply that understanding to our lives, wisdom is gained and our behavior changes for the better...essentially, we learn the lessons He is trying to teach us. And, prayerfully, begin to see fewer "time outs" where we can't feel the Lord's presence or hear His voice and then we start to experience a walk with Him that is abundantly full of praise and worship! 

I don't know about you, but I don't like being put in "time out" anymore than my kids do;  the bible in Hebrew 12:11 says, 

 "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:"  I often struggle against it, crying and trying to inch my way out of the corner on my own, making it a longer process than it has to be.  But the second half to that same verse is where it's all at..."nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." I am sooo thankful that my Heavenly Father works ALL things for my good!   He loves me in spite  of my bratty self and is long suffering with me. As my Pastor says, He's good every time, ALL the time! Even when He puts me in "Time Out"!