Advice is one of those things that is freely given, but not always taken. We cannot force people to take our advice, just as we cannot force them to do anything they do not want to do. Yet we continue to offer it. I remember during a youth exchange week, the younger members of our church took over positions in the church to give them an idea of what our other members did each week. It was a great learning experience. I was tasked to preach on Sunday morning. I sought counsel from the pastor on how to prepare for the sermon. He made some suggestions and showed me how to layout a sermon, but the one thing I remember about that meeting was a statement he made, “I can show you how to do this, and advise you til I am blue in the face, but you have to be willing to receive that advice and act on it. Just as we have to be willing to take Jesus into our hearts. The bible teaches that if you knock, you will be received, but you have to make the decision to knock.” I took that information and delivered a short sermon that Sunday.
How many of us have been given very good advice, yet failed to accept it? How do you think that affected the outcome of some of your trying times in life? How would it have been different, if you had taken the advice? Some very deep thoughts to ponder in the future. Advice is worth nothing if you are not willing to take it, yet people keep giving it. Maybe there is some value in there, if you are willing to figure out what it is.
“When the spider lilies bloom, there will be frost in 8 weeks.” ~Grandpa
I noticed our spider lilies beginning to bloom yesterday.