"Counsel"

Old cowboy’s often silent,

Sometimes he won’t say much,

He’s waiting for a question,

‘Bout the cowboy way and such.

‘Cause if workin’ with a young hand,

Who really wants to learn,

Or with some cocky know-it-all,

Whose trust he’s yet to earn,

I can’t say it’s always true,

But it really seems to me,

That maybe this he’s thinking,

See if you might agree.

Are you asking for an answer,

That you don’t want to know,

What I think about it,

It matters to me, so,

Some pretend a question,

But show that they don’t care,

About the thing they’ve asked you,

Or what you have to share.

And if you insist they listen,

It’s a losing battle sure,

‘Cause if at all, impatiently,

Your words they scarce endure.

And your advice is useless,

‘Cause their decision’s made,

Before they even ask you,

Or anything you’ve said.

If that kid is humble,

And pays attention close,

That’s the one he’ll talk to,

‘Cause he can learn the most.

And maybe that’s why Jesus,

Said time and time again,

Listen if your ears can hear,

And let the truth sink in.

Life’s better if we listen,

The truth still sets us free,

Get some godly counsel,

It helps so much, you see.

“Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock…” (Matthew 7:24, NLT)

Listening is both an art and a discipline. Jesus said His sheep would recognize His voice. If we listen and seek to apply His words, our lives will withstand any storm. If we pretend to listen, and don’t apply what He says, we do not receive the benefit of His truth. The storms of life overwhelm us and the crash is horrific. Most, if not all of us, have been overwhelmed by life’s storms. Sometimes we can see a clear connection between poor counsel and choices we’ve made, and the consequences that challenge us. But sometimes things just happen and we can’t really connect the dots. In either case, storms occur. How we respond matters, and if our foundation is hearing and doing God’s truth, we will overcome. Count on it.

Lord, help us to listen for and do what You say, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Shawn Cameron, shawncameron.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Shawn, and God bless you.