“Listen to me. Keep silence and I will teach you wisdom!” Job 33:33
An annoying occurrence happened on the way to work recently. Three times I was stopped at a train crossing while a slumbering train proceeded down the tracks. There I sat in my truck two mornings in a row, “patiently” (OK, not so patiently) waiting for the train to pass. The third time I was headed home from Fort Collins to Loveland and you know what, I decided to beat that train. Instead of waiting at the crossing, I turned left on College, and headed south to Loveland, determined to get ahead of the train. Well, I ran parallel to the track all the way to Loveland, thinking once I was on the road I could cruise down the highway at 55 MPH (OK, maybe a little faster) and surely get ahead of that train. But you know what, that slow train kept right up with me and we arrived in Loveland at the same time. I thought, there’s a lesson here.
Lesson 1: Slow down! All too often in early recovery I tried to rush through thinking I’ve got to get his done, or that done, got to get through these steps; what’s taking so long? One of the best pieces of advice I ever received in early recovery was from my therapist: slow down, recovery isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. I’ve learned it’s slow steady progress that produces the fullness of recovery. And by the above example, I’m still learning.
Lesson 2: I can’t out run God. When I turned my life and will over to God I went from Dana time to God time. God is in charge, he’s the conductor and I’m the caboose. When I think I’m running the train watch out, there’s an accident waiting to happen. I have to rely on Him to show me where I need to go, how to get there, and when to arrive.
Lesson 3: Silence is golden. One of the toughest things for me to master is meditation. Not because it’s difficult, but because I can get too busy to make it a priority. Meditation is slowing down long enough to listen to God. It’s hard to know where you’re going if you don’t listen for the directions.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us to grow in the discipline of meditation, to be still and listen for Your reply. Thank you for the lessons learned and the truth that You are God, that You have a plan for us and You want nothing but the best for us. May we be willing to surrender to You daily, to seek and follow Your will in all we do. In Jesus Name we pray—Amen.
Dana Cramer // Celebrate Recovery at Crossroads
Celebrate Recovery at Crossroads Church Calendar
August 13-19, 2018
Friday, August 17: Guest Testimony Night
- 6pm: Our Hospitality Team is preparing a wonderful dinner for you. Please join us for food and fellowship.
- 7pm: Join us for an hour of worship and a guest testimony from Stacy, Pastor of CR in Longmont.
- 8pm: Open Share Groups.
- 9pm: Solid Rock Café.
