You.

How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you were not willing. Matthew 23 37 the air was chilly one late fall morning several years ago. The furnace hadn't kicked on yet, and I tugged at the blankets. My wife snuggled close and chased away the cold. How nice, I thought. Every man should have such a wife. I learned late of the real reason she moved to my side of the bed in those early minutes of the new day. The dog had crowded my wife out of her side, and she had simply moved over to get away from the dog, not get closer to me. That little incident got me thinking. Are there times when God tugs at the blanket but we simply ignore him? Are there times when we are so comfortable and cozy, all wrapped up in our own little world, that we groan at the thought of moving over? Are there times when God calls us to action but we pretend not to hear? This was apparently what Jesus meant in the verse I read moments ago. Though he wanted to gather his people together to comfort and protect them, they ignored him, unwilling to even listen to what he said. Sometimes God lets us lie there, but now and then he does something to crowd us out of our comfort zone. Sometimes he gives us a little nudge to get us to move over and do what he asks. Is the Lord crowding you today? Is he nudging you to go invite a neighbor to church, volunteer to teach a Sunday school class, visit an elderly member of the church, or increase your giving? Don't lie there like a bump on the log. Move over and get it done. Just do it already.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of Community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to [email protected] have a great day, and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as Pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.