Slowing Down on Trampolines

Interestingly enough, trampolines are a great social device. Being coaxed by my kids to jump on the trampoline during every spare moment, my thoughts of pain were quickly replaced by the desire to prove I could still do flips (bad choice). The serendipity of these experiences has been the interaction with them that happens when, worn out from bouncing, we take a break (usually laying down) and talk, while trying to recover. It reminded me of one of the passages I am memorizing:

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen,slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore git rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:19-22 NIV

I'm afraid we are, in our sinful nature, prone to do just the opposite. We are quick to speak, quick to become angry and slow to listen (to the point of not). Even though God desires us to live righteously, we like living how we please - tempered by enough knowledge and good intentions to assuage our guilt. God is not interested in our righteousness IQ but our righteous living. Being slow to become angry shows a desire to have the righteous life, but to make it a reality, you have to see what the "therefore" is "there for."

Slowing down and listening to others as well as God, requires a taking off and a putting on. "Git rid" involves a conscious choice not to do those things we know violate God's moral standard. But it also involves not engaging in any thing, relationship or circumstance that would facilitate it. That's the negative, the positive action we take is realizing our utter dependency on God and His Word. It is such a pledge of allegiance to God's truth that we not only take it in and meditate on it, but we also make it a living reality - we do it.

I'm trying not to wait for trampoline moments to slow down, listen and respond. It is an attitude of humble dependence, moment by moment on Him.