Don't, but wait, it is wonderful, so why not?

A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him. Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue. Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened!” Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly! Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news. They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.” (Mark 7:32-37 NLT)

Sometimes the more we want to hear, the less we actually hear. We lean in, trying to get a little closer to the one speaking, only to miss the fullness of what was shared. At other times, we wish we hadn't heard quite so clearly because what we heard either frightens us or we didn't want to be asked such a thing. Either way, our 'hearing' is not quite as 'effective' as it should be. The one who really desires to hear is also one who is willing to obey completely. That probably frightens some of us a bit because we don't mind hearing what Jesus has in mind for us - we just might not like 'doing' whatever it is quite as much!

Jesus told the crowd not to tell others what he was doing but that didn't stop them, did it? They still went about the region, sharing stories of what they had seen, and the news of the healings spread like wildfire or a game of 'telephone'. The more Jesus did, the more they shared. The more he asked them to keep quiet, the more the news spread. Sometimes we are a little like the crowds - the more he asks us to do something, we go about doing just the opposite of what he asks! Been there; done that; bought the T-shirt; wore it out! Obedience is not always the easiest thing - even when we are hearing clearly!

The moment Jesus opens our heart to hear, the mind goes to work on what it is hearing. We mull it over, 'feeling it out' so to speak, and decide what it is we are going to do with what we heard. Some responses will be immediate because we can see the value in whatever it he asks. At other times, the response may be a little delayed because we haven't quite 'figured out' how doing whatever he asks will actually help us. It isn't important for us to have our new year all 'figured out' right now. If Jesus has asked for a particular step of obedience from us in this new year, then go with it. Your mind doesn't have to have it all figured out in order to take the first steps toward doing it. Your heart does! 

Obedience may not always seem 'wonderful' at the moment, but it is even more wonderful when we see how he multiplies our one step with his steps. There is more to be gained in not having it all figured out and taking those steps forward than there is in waiting on your mind to catch up with your heart. Just sayin!