Pondering with Green Tea

"You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious to God."-1 Peter 3:4

Going to youth group the other night, I was able to talk to a girl who I hadn't seen in a very long time. The funny thing was, upon seeing her, I knew there was something different, and from that verse a dear friend of mine sent me a few days ago, and upon talking to her after service the difference about her was: she spent time cultivating the woman of God she is today-
and she didn't have to say a word for it to be apparent in her life.

Fast-forwarding to tonight, I'm sitting on the couch in my living room reading (one of my seven books designated to be completed this summer), and suddenly, plain as day, 1 Peter 3:4 came to my mind, and God asked: "How do you think developing that spirit comes about?" Instantly I noticed my surroundings. Television: off. Music: off. Fresh green tea by my side...curled up...just reading. Quietly. Even though this particular passage in 1 Peter 3 is specifically discussing wives...I believe this truth applies to both men and women:

Developing the ability to listen does not come about from only wanting to talk and be heard.
Developing strength and endurance does not come about from watching life go by, afraid to make mistakes and take steps forward.
Personally I've had to learn this one: Learning to be still and quiet does not come about from constantly running around on errands, television, the internet, or other random, un/intentional distractions that just make a whole lot of noise.

Regardless of what area in my life I may be asking God to help me grow in, from that ability to listen to being still and quiet, it will not come about if I continue to throw myself in circumstances and situations that are the complete opposite of where I'm trying to grow. Sometimes we're better at building up our own roadblocks to moving forward better than anyone else is. It comes down to those times awaiting in the presence of God and that being the place where the transformation takes place.

I leave that with you, dear reader, and for now, I must retreat to bed...before 11 (which is shocking in itself). Have a wonderful rest of your week!

God Bless,

JB