Listen And Learn // Micah

For many, the old adage “live and learn” translates into a call to “turn a deaf ear” to the voices of wisdom around them. After all, if experience is the best teacher, then what good does it serve to sit at the feet of another?

Proverbs 1, however, reminds us that we can avoid much pain and trial, as well as, save valuable time by tuning into the godly counsel around us. In the words of John Dickson, “We can glean in 5 minutes what may otherwise take us six months,” if we learn to listen.

The truth is, wisdom’s best apprentices embrace both. They understand that while it is essential to glean all one can from experience, we grow truly wise when we Listen And Learn. 

Proverbs 1:5 “Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance.”

Proverbs 1:20 & 23 “Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. Come and listen to my counsel. I'll share my heart with you and make you wise.”

Proverbs 1:33 “But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”

- Micah McElveen

Unshakably Satisfied // Micah

Breathe that in for a moment. Try and get a mental image of what that looks and feels like... What would you give for that?

Satisfaction does not require retirement and is not a bedfellow of apathy. A truly satisfied person is not void of trial, challenge or toil nor are they empty of hopes, dreams and aspirations. Instead a content soul does not “need,” and is therefore not anxious or demanding. Satisfaction is the substance in one who has “learned to be content” while “pressing toward the mark.” The results of this sustained state leads to a fire forged strength, capable of surviving the rigor of life’s battles.

A satisfied individual is unshakable because they aren’t propped up by volatile external factors. Self-worth derived from co-dependence has given way to a vitality drawn from a deeper well.

While hard to achieve, much less describe, I do know one thing that must be present to find timeless unbreakable satisfaction and that is unfailing love. But where can we find such a love? A love untouched by circumstance that remains unstained by evil and continues undiluted by time? Unfailing love is found in God and is made available in the person of Christ whose Spirit resides in all called by His name. In Him alone can we become Unshakably Satisfied.

Psalm 90:14 “Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.”

Psalm 107:9 “For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”

John 6:35 “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall not thirst.”

- Micah McElveen

Divine Appointments // Micah

Have you ever went somewhere for one reason only to find another dominant purpose emerge?

It was late by the time I arrived at the home of this "young in the faith" Haitian staff person. He had lived a very hard life, suffered deep and intense physical and spiritual trial and had spent more of his life nearly dying than actually living. Through the ministry, he and his household had come to know Christ and had begun experiencing powerful renewal. As the candles flickered low and the evening wound down I surveyed their one-room house a final time, as if to memorialize the low lit scene. I thanked them for their hospitality and got up to leave when something in the corner caught my eye.

"Why," I asked "is their now 4 pairs of feet sticking out of your bed?”

This recently homeless man smiled, and in a very calm unassuming tone simply responded, "through Vapor Ministries God has taken care of my family, so we felt God would have my family take in these two orphans. We prayed that God would provide for us and have committed to show His love to others in need."

I slipped into the cover of darkness quickly as my eyes began to fill. As I sat in the still of that evening my heart nearly burst until overflowed and poured itself out through substance rich tears. Here I was before a brother barely on his feet yet serving from His knees. I had come to encourage and teach yet left having being blessed and instructed. That night a more weighty and transformative truth was expressed inside the tin walls of that home than what could be found in a stack of well formed sermons. What a privilege to sit at the feet of a new Christ follower who was preaching the Gospel with His life and teaching me the Christian Faith in the most compelling ways.

I left resolved to move into mission with greater sensitivity and predetermined surrender to the work God is up to in divine appointments.

I John 3:16-17 "We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?"

Proverbs 16:9 “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way."

- Micah McElveen