Reflections on Life and Spirituality 101

Have you ever been in a situation where God uses people less experienced than you are as mouthpieces to say to you what you already know you must do or fulfil, or regarding the fact that you are going the wrong way in some aspect of life?



I feel slightly annoyed because I am going through an incident like this.

I call these 'talking donkeys' after the recorded incident of Balaam and his donkey in the book of Numbers. The 'donkeys' in my life are the people who are dear to my heart whom God is using to speak the truths that I do not necessarily want to hear (Definitely no offence intended, especially to my current 'speaking donkey' - you should know who you are if you are reading this)

In this story, the donkey responded to the presence of the Angel of the Lord by not following the current path. Balaam was stubbornly hitting the donkey and trying to get it back on track to where he wanted to go (not where the Lord wanted for him). Then miraculously, the donkey speaks after getting smacked 3 times:

Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!" So the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?" (Numbers 22:28-30)

Only then Balaam realizes that this is no ordinary situation. That God Himself is speaking to him - that Balaam is not to continue with what he is doing.

I realized I responded recently in the exact same way as Balaam initially.

• I was ready to kill the messenger for speaking what I know in my heart is true, consistent with other 'coincidences' of what the Lord is showing me.
• Many a time, what we do not want to hear, especially when there is a sense of the Lord in it, is what we exactly need to hear. Instead of reacting with pride (parading as annoyance), the correct response should be a contrite heart and a teachable spirit.

All in all, we need to ask ourselves some pertinent questions: How am I responding to 'talking donkeys' in my life? Am I even fortunate enough to have one?

I am learning to deal with this situation. How? Well, in the end, Balaam responded: "Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back." Hopefully my response will be in line with this. Watch this space.

Labels: Spiritual Growth