Love to hear from and know who is listening
If you were to ask my wife I am sure she would tell you that I am as stubborn as a donkey. Once I get an idea in my head I charge full speed ahead. I rarely ask for advice, because I am convinced I know exactly what I am doing, at least until I prove myself wrong. I start my projects early in the morning and sometimes I skip meals because I can't stop until I am done. As I have grown older I have realized that my mind is stronger than my muscles are. In my mind I am still a strong young man. Finally, I almost never ask for help because in my mind, you would just be in my way, also I just am not interested in your opinion about how I should be doing whatever it is I am doing! My strong will reminds me of bible scripture of Balaam and his donkey.
Balaam rode his donkey to go curse the Israelites. To end Balaam’s stubbornness, God sends an angel to block the path. But Balaam is intent on his assignment, he doesn’t notice the angel. But the donkey does. Three times. The first time, it causes the donkey to swerve away. Balaam shows his true nature and beats the frightened donkey back onto the path. The second time, the angel stands in a narrow path with walls on both sides. Again...Balaam exacts his frustration by beating the poor donkey. Finally, on the third account, the angel stands where “there is no room to turn, either to the right or the left” The donkey is so frightened, it lays down, with Balaam still riding him. And how does Balaam behave? You guessed it. He beats the terrified animal who is already as low as he can get. At this point, Scripture tells us the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth.
Numbers 22: 28-31 NIV Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.” The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” “No,” he said. Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell face down.
I don't know about you but many times in my life I have been convinced that what I am doing is the right thing and I ignore all the signs and obstacles that God puts in my way until I am defeated and fall on my face before God asking for forgiveness. The angel admonishes Balaam, asking why he beat his donkey so heartlessly instead of realizing that his path was reckless. Now Balaam, a man who claims devotion to God now has the opportunity to explain his actions. He responds with “I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me.
I hate to admit this but sometimes I don't see the Angels, the obstacles and obstructions God puts in the road ahead of me until I come to a point where the road ahead of me narrows to the point where I can no longer proceed. There are 2 lessons we can learn from the story of Balaam and his donkey. The first lesson is this, If God can use a donkey to teach a lesson then he can use me. I am not the smartest person you will ever meet but I am at least as smart as a donkey and God used a donkey to speak his word. Remember, God does not call the qualified, He qualifies those he calls. The second lesson we can learn from this bible scripture is this, God is love. And that love is fierce, almighty, all-knowing, and all good. Where he calls you, he will guide. Be more like the gentle donkey, and less like Balaam, seek God’s voice and follow it.
