Psalm 27:11

Teach me your way, O Lord,

And lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

Abba,

A teachable heart evidences a heart that is postured in humility. 

A teachable heart is one that acknowledges a lack and makes oneself dependent upon another to fill in the gap.

A teachable heart looks to another to supply from outside oneself that which cannot be supplied from within.

A teachable heart cares little for the source, the mode, means, or attitude of the teacher; it simply cares about learning what is needed because the stakes are too high to permit pride and vanity to halt the growing process.

An enemy stands afoot.

Everyday.  Every moment.

Danger is near.

Not the kind of danger that can threaten eternity.  NO!  That is secure.  None can thwart your plan or halt your purpose.  None can rob you.  No thief can steal that which you have sealed for eternity.  No, there is no fear here.

The danger I face; the danger we (as your church, your bride, your body) face is one of fellowship and intimacy. 

Our adversary would have us believe that life apart from you is more satisfying or fulfilling than you can provide.

He would have us believe that you are narcissistic and withhold good from us purely for your own sinfully selfish reasons.

And here is where truth and error mix to create an ugly lie.  You ARE concerned about your own glory above all else.  This is true.

BUT in the pursuit of your own glory, YOU ARE ALSO in pursuit of our DEEPEST SATISFACTION in YOU!  Your glory IS our highest good; our deepest satisfaction; our richest joy.  Your pursuit of your glory IS the pursuit of our longing.  As we see and bask in your glory, our hearts are delighted, elated, satisfied, and intimacy is achieved!  But our deepest desires can only be truly met in your glory.

Our enemy taunts us with lesser pleasures and entices us away from THE ONE pleasure that is the hearts true pursuit.   He works hard to distract our hearts from you.

For this reason, Abba, teach and instruct MY heart.  Teach and instruct OUR hearts.  Lead us in truth and protect us from the lies, deceptions, and manipulations of the enemy.

Keep our hearts postured in humility that we might receive instruction no matter the source, the mode, that means by which it comes.  The lessons; the truths may come in friendly, gracious means or they may come in vindictive, hateful means.  It matters little; only that our hearts learn truth and by it, we are led to you in greater intimacy. 

In the face of opposition…

In the weariness of battle…

In the fear of failure…

In the pain of the struggle…

In the loneliness of the journey…

In the grief of sorrow…

In the agony of war…

In the attack of the adversary…

May we not depart the narrow way…

May we not take the “easy” path this life flaunts

But may the Spirit guard our steps, leading us to the safe path THROUGH the obstacles. 

And when on the other side,

When we we look back,

May we see how the difficulty of the path actually worked FOR our good, just as you promised it would. 

Abba, give us hearts that want to be taught.

That embrace truth.

That posture themselves to be teachable.

That are led…

Straight to you.

We love you!

Amen.