Justin March leads the Bethany Lutheran Church Men’s Ministry and sends a weekly email message to the Men’s group every week.  Justin has generously permitted us to post his weekly reflections here.

Have you ever felt
that nudge? That nudge where no matter how much you try to ignore it, it
refuses to go away until you pay attention to what it really wants? That nudge
that is persistent, constant, and demanding? That nudge, that if you choose to
ignore it, will make sure your life is full of worry, doubt, and sleepless
nights?

 While I was in
Norfolk, Nebraska last weekend, that nudge came strong. It was Saturday
morning, and my buddy and I were getting ready to watch the first Husker game
of the season. We both knew a winter storm was coming, but neither one of us
paid much attention to it. It is football season, and we will not be bothered
by trivial news like the weather! Then, the nudge began. First, my buddy’s wife
got a phone call from her mother saying that she was worried about me driving
home the next day. We listened, but a concerned mother really is not something
out of the ordinary. But as we watched football that Saturday afternoon, the
nudge strengthened and became more difficult to ignore. The television was
blasting winter storm warnings, the temperatures were dropping, and Sunday
looked like it could be a tough day to drive. That nudge got stronger, and by
the end of the Husker game, it was almost impossible to ignore.

So, after talking to
my friends, calling my wife, and reluctantly accepting the nudge, I packed up,
said my goodbyes, and left Saturday afternoon. Man am I glad I did! If I would
have stuck to MY plans, I would have left Sunday morning and been in trouble. I
would have been greeted by snow, icy road conditions, and a much longer drive
than anticipated. MY plans could have put me in danger, but listening to those
nudges, changing course, and accepting HIS plans, got me home safe.

Whether we realize it
or not, God is always looking out for us. Sometimes the message may come in
subtle nudges, and sometimes the message may hit us like a freight train. But
when those nudges come, we are left with the choice to ignore them or accept
them. God has given us the freewill to do what we want, yet HE nudges us to do
the right thing and follow HIS instructions.

Are you feeling the
nudges in your life? Are you willing to accept them, follow HIS plans, and do
what HE asks? Or are you ignoring them, dodging the work that needs to be done,
and then wondering why life is not turning out the way you had hoped? It is
your choice to accept or deny the nudges, but let me tell you, when you choose
to follow the messages God puts in front of you, you will see the beauty of HIS
creation, you will be able to forgive those that wrong you, you will show grace
when others cannot, and you will love like your family and friends have never
experienced before.

What will you choose
this week? Will you roll the dice and ignore the nudges HE is trying to send
your way? Will you risk the consequences that may come from following YOUR path
instead of HIS? Or will you accept HIS nudges, have faith in HIS direction, and
enjoy all HE can offer in your life? The choice is yours, but I pray you choose
to glorify God, spread HIS messages, and allow HIS nudges to make this world a
better place for all of us!