"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27
Table Mountain (left) Twelve Apostles (middle) Lion's Head (right)
In November 2006 I was showering in a funky glass and tile contraption and reminiscing about my past two months in Africa. I was thinking about how my faith had grown, how I had connected to God in a way that I never had before and, how in a month, I was going to return to “reality” and I didn’t want to loose the connection, the depth, the intimacy with God I had built. Thoughts swirled in my brain as the steam eddied around my head.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, I heard: “Abide in me.”
I remembered the story of Samuel in the Old Testament. “Ok, um, God, is that you?”
It was. I had never had a “shower conversation” with him before so it took me a bit off guard. I was just “thinking” and heard a voice tell me the answer to my question. The tone sounded kinda like my own but louder and very confident.
I have told many people this story and they usually respond one of two ways: 1) they don’t believe that God actually speaks anymore (and therefore implying I am deluded or lying – I’m neither, just so we are clear) or 2) they respond that God doesn’t speak to them.
You can hear God’s voice. Scripture says so (see John 10:27). In fact, I am confident that you have heard God’s voice you just don’t recognize it as his. Honestly, we are just not as brilliant, clever, smart, wise or discerning as we give ourselves credit. The inspired idea you just had, the shopping item you forgot and then remembered before you left the store, the ability to understand a complex situation and break it down to find a solution was probably, in a small or large way, due to God helping you.
Now, there are situations that cloud God’s voice – or even cease it from existence in ones life.
Got sin? “God does not hear sinners” (John 9:31), “If I regard wickedness in my heart the Lord will not hear” (Psalm 66:18), “I will hide my eyes from you; yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen.” (Isaiah 1:15)
Sin is missing the mark of perfection – which includes all of us. One blemish of unrepentant sin makes hearing God nigh impossible. Can’t hear God’s voice clearly and want to? Check your heart…where are you missing the mark?
Another reason you may not be able to hear God’s voice is you are deceived. You think an action, position, opinion, cure, lifestyle, choice, a preference is right when in all actuality, in God’s reality, it is dead wrong.
Deception is tricky because you don’t know when you are being deceived and therefore head into sin unknowingly.
Wanna hear God’s voice? Want to know what he has to say to you? Do you want a glimpse into what he has ahead for you (Isaiah 42:9)? Then practice getting to know what his voice sounds like!*
God wants and intimate relationship with you – one built on knowing and trust. He wants us to know him, and trust that he had our best interest at heart. It is hard to “know” a silent partner and the only way to get him talking again is to respect him and his principles (which he put in place to protect us).
How is your heart? Is it angry? Bitter? Resentful? Is it unhappy and discontent? Are you aligned with God’s principles in every aspect of your life, or have some areas slipped a bit? What in your life is acting as a silencer?
Updates:
Living – We are still a go for the sale on June 16th. I have a second contractor bid in the works (thanks Pam) and should know closing details soon.
Work – the team is here and we are on the move! Most are out today visiting past clients – praying, infusing faith and encouraging. We have an entrepreneur day tomorrow and start with GDOP on Thursday morning. Check out the team blog for updates on what we are doing, seeing and experiencing: http://repurposing.biz/cape-town-may-2010/.
Travel - I am ensconced at a lovely hotel downtown Cape Town – walking distance from the waterfront and convention center. I have a view of Signal Hill from my room and have NEVER experienced such a bountiful spread for breakfast!
Requests:
Living – that construction on the building will finish by the first of June, closing will be smooth, and that the girl staying in my California apartment will enjoy her time there.
Work – For all our upcoming travel: Chennai, Lagos, Connecticut, LA, Texas are just a few of the places the home office team is heading. Also for our time in Cape Town (attendance at our forums in conjunction with GDOP, team unity, transportation, safety, etc.). And for the Venture prep in India (client recruitment, team unity, travel safety, ability to hear God’s directions).
Fundraising – if this blog or any of the past entries have touched your heart please donate toward my trip to Africa. Visit http://gdop.inst.net to find out what I’m doing while in Cape Town. To contribute, please go to http://repurposing.biz/contribute for details.
*Listening Practice: I had a blind corner on my way to work. I would ask God every morning if a car was coming. After a while I was hearing about 90% correct and sometimes I even had a picture of the car in my head before it came around the corner! So fun!
No comments:
Post a Comment