Can You Repeat That?

“In conclusion, my friends, be joyful in your union with the Lord. I don’t mind repeating what I have written before, and you will be safer if I do so.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭‬‬

It was not intentional that I turned to this scripture during my morning quiet time. I was suppose to be in Philippians 1:3-6. I don’t believe in accidents; so I gave the scripture a second read through.

“In conclusion”, is an odd way to start the chapter. I realize the actual break for the chapter was man made. Really Paul was probably wrapping things up in his letter to the Philippians. The fact there is all of chapter three and four following, makes in conclusion seem out of place. I see it much like a pastor who announces “As I wrap things up today” thirty minutes before he gets to the actual closing prayer or alter call. It is a phrase often repeated at the close of some sermons.

Then Paul’s statement “I don’t mind repeating what I have written before, and you will be safer if I do so.” I often have clients tell me they have heard something before, but “this time it just clicks.” It was a conversation I had a few times this week. If they have children I remind them of the many times they tried to advise their children without success; then someone else comes along and says the same thing the child acts like it is some new and wonderful, mind blowing information. If they don’t have children, I remind them of their own childhood ignoring parental advice and later taking the same advice when offered by someone else. It is not something to feel guilty about, but rather to acknowledge you might have finally got the message.

Paul knew believers need to be reminded; after all we are God’s children. Jesus also repeated things when he was teaching to make the point. We should take note of repeated messages. There are many throughout the Bible.

Often I want to think God’s gotten through to me after the first time , despite the many times I intentionally close my ears not wanting the accountability of hearing a particular message.

I ignore the mountains I keep going around, like the Israelites did for forty years. I’m blind to the things that deceive me. I believe that what I know as truth is the whole truth, until I hear the message another time and God takes me to a deeper understanding. He knows I need to hear it again, and again, and again.

I have journaled scriptures regularly since 1999. I don’t remember when I started reading the Bible through each year, but it’s been more than eights years just thinking about the various versions I completed. I realized in 2013 that I had to start switching versions because I had the “I already know that” syndrome. I needed to delve deeper than surface level as I journeyed my way through a nine month discipleship program, that continued to shape how I journaled.

Each time I read the Scripture, I get fresh revelation. The Word is active, it is living and as it is put in 2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living,”. ‭‭ ‭‬‬

However, I am also responsible for digging into the Word myself as I grow in Him. While it is important to be planted in a church family, it is just as important that my fellowship with the Lord alone be my top priority. The pastors, teachers, evangelists and even growth books I read should be confirming what Holy Spirit is already speaking to me in my personal quiet time. It should be a reiteration of Paul’s words “I don’t mind repeating what I have written before, and you will be safer if I do so.” Only God is speaking through another, what He has already revealed to me.

The teaching, instructing, correcting and rebuking I need changes as I walk with God. Not because He changes, but because I do. Just as our needs change as we grow in the natural, so do our needs spiritually. As a young believer, I needed someone to teach me how to read the Word. I needed someone to show me how that applies to my life. I needed to understand who God says I am and whose I really am. I needed to understand how to speak to Him and more importantly listen to Him. I often needed to ask “Can you repeat that?”

Even now, sometimes it takes several times for me to actually stop and listen to the Lord. Much like Balaam, I ignore it and try to do things my own way. When I first noticed this, I listened to several evangelists while I got ready in the morning. I really thought they were all reading from the same script. I would hear the same message from different pastors over the course of the week, and sometimes in the same day.

I didn’t recognize Holy Spirit was working in unity and the message was being presented to each. When I finally caught on, I could easily see how God was trying to minister to a specific need in my life (although I am sure to others also). I needed it to be repeated so I could understand God was vying for my attention and trying to make a specific lesson stick.

Then I started to teach women and I would prepare a message all week long to share on Monday night,l. Like clockwork, Sunday the pastor would preach my message. At first I tried coming up with something new. I didn’t want anyone to think I was reshaping the message. Corporate prayer was often the same way. When my mentor explained that was the work of Holy Spirit too, I gave in to the repetition that sometimes occurred. I realized how I say things is different, my perspective is a little different, and that might be what God needs to get someone to hear.

So don’t refuse to ask “Can you repeat that?” God just might use it to being fresh revelation to a stubborn soul. He might be trying to confirm some things He has been speaking to you. Or He May just be trying to get a Word to you, so He can get a Word through You. Press in to the repetition of reading the Word, if you let Him, Holy Spirit will continue to take you to deeper depths in your understanding, continue to grow you from the inside out as you ask “Can you repeat that?”