Stop, look, and listen.

Taking the time to stop, look, and listen, before preceding in life, may just keep you from some head on collisions. That was one of the fundamentals we learned as kids. Not only from our parents, but in our schools also. We were told at every crossing to stop, look and listen. If we did not there was a great possibility we could get hurt or worse.

That should be the same fundamental practice in life also don't you think? It never hurts to go back to the basics once in a while to get a little refresher course on life. When we stop, we are taking the time to think things through. When we look, at any situation, we are taking the time to plan it out. And when we listen, we are taking the time to see the whole picture.

King David in II Samuel used exactly these methods before doing or leading his armies into battle. He would stop and think things through. He would look at the situation and weigh the odds. Yet most importantly he never moved until he listened and heard what God had to say about the situation. (II Samuel 5:17-25) When he did these things he always moved with confidence and winning results.

It just takes a willingness to get back to basics and slow down. Nothing can be so important that we should have to run headlong into a collision course with life. If we would just stop a bit to catch our breath. If we would just take a little look around us and see the alternatives. And take the time to listen and hear what God and His wisdom has to say about any situation we encounter. We could have more of a victorious life than we do. (Proverbs 3:5-8)

So, taking the time to stop, look, and listen, before preceding in life. May just keep you from some head on collisions in life!