Learning God's Ways

Lead me in your truth, and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all day long.

(from Psalm 25:1-9)

A Certified Lay Speaker in my first appointment wanted to preach, so together we designed a worship service.

The Lay Speaker said, "I'll do the Pastoiral Prayer."

I replied, "Actually, it's pronounced "pastoral", there's no "i" in the word.

"No", the Lay Speaker said with certainty, "it's Pastoiral. 

It quickly became apparent this wasn't a teachable moment because the Lay Speaker was insisting on "pastoiral" 

Jesus faces something like this going into the temple and begining to teach.

The priests and chief elders want to know Jesus' source and authority to teach, and who gave Jesus permission.

Jesus answers: "the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.” 

Why this answer? Because these sinners experienced a teachable moment by believing John’s testimony about Jesus.

It seems to me God teaches us humility, trust and joy beginning in verse 1 “To you, Oh Lord, I lift up my soul."

As In Jesus' day when people worshipped, they lifted their hands to receive God's blessings which included instruction, learning "God's ways", and trust "you are the God of my salvation."

Yes, the psalm composer, like us, wants teachable moments and trusting God, but that includes the desire to be with God, to "walk God's ways".

What good does it do to learn God's ways and then not walk in them?

Walking in God's ways, though, is two-way communication as the author listens to God but boldly tells God "not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions".

This is amazing, teachable moments come when we realize, in times of trouble, that God is with us and we walk together. 

Think about it, when have you been changed by a teachable moment provided by God?