Action Items

My child, never forget the things I have taught you. 

Store my commands in your heart.
If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! 

Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; 

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:1-6 NLT

As a general rule of thumb, people only half listen. You know what I mean. They might catch every other word, especially if there's anything else going on around you; other conversations, phones and earbuds, or traffic, radio, television. Distractions. Destructive interference. This can be calamitous in a business meeting where project initiatives and implementation methods are being discussed - especially if you miss the action item that will bring the desired result.

Unfortunately, there are times we have that same destructive interference with regard to what the Word is speaking to us. Have you ever noticed how people love to proclaim the promises of God? Oftentimes, they have memorized just about every nuance of what He has promised... or at least, they think they have. They know the intent and they love the expected result. However, often they miss the action item that will actually cause the result to be obtained. 

For instance, we may not necessarily forget the things we were taught, but unless we actually store them in our hearts so that they're written on our hearts in a way that directs our lives and the choices we make, we are not going to have the result of living many years and being satisfied.

We may wear loyalty and kindness as a necklace or pendant charms around our necks, but unless we write them deep within our hearts, they are not actions. They are just good suggestions for right living. If they are not the actions of our lives, we will not find favor with God and people, nor will we earn a good reputation.

We all know "Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding" so He will show us which path to take. Be that as it may, unless we implement the action item - seek His will in all [we] do - we don't get the instruction for which path to take. 

Don't be snared by destructive interference. Dig deeper. Take ownership of the action items. 

Prayer:

Father,

          Awaken us to Your every Word. Help us to see every jot and tittle of it and be as ready to perform Your Word as You are. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen