(My obedience plant.) |
Don’t
take for granted that because it’s good, it’s God.
God
may have someone right around the corner He needs you to speak with or pray for
right now, perhaps someone who’s contemplating suicide. So, when we stop to
chat with the homeless man begging for quarters just to be nice, we may be “chasing
rabbit trails” instead of heeding the voice of God.
This
is where listening for His voice; His guidance, is crucial. Every time He
speaks to us, His words are worth hearing and living out.
Sometimes
God speaks to me about seemingly small things, but they can have monumental
effects.
A
dear friend of mine tells a story about a time when God spoke to her about
wearing a specific dress. At first she was taken aback, asking God, “Don’t You
trust me to pick out my own clothes for the day?” But, obedience prevailed, and
she wore the dress, which was a bit out of place for her day. She walked out to
check her mail and a woman came shrieking with excitement across the courtyard.
“My mother made me a dress when I was a girl and it looked just like that one,
where did you get it?” she asked. Now, the dress was of little importance in
the grand scheme of things, but being invited to a conversation with this woman
was where God had some seed planting to do. My friend was able to share some
truths about our living Savior, Jesus Christ, with a woman she’d never have
spoken to otherwise.
God
knew as my friend got dressed that morning who He would bring across her path,
and just how He would draw the two together – over a dress.
We
may never know the opportunities we’ve missed to share the gospel message or to
be a blessing to someone, simply because we ignored the prompting of the Holy
Spirit.
What
joy can we bring into the lives of others by acting in obedience, no matter how
silly or petty we feel God’s instructions for the day to be. Obedience is so
much easier, too, when we trust that the results of that obedience are His
responsibility, not ours.
I
think I’ve shared this story before, but perhaps someone who needs to hear it
missed it the first time.
Decades
ago, while living in Illinois I crossed paths with a beautiful young Asian
woman who spoke little to no English. How could I have been of any earthly good
to her? This delicate creature was berated daily by a brute of a husband in the
parking lot of our apartment complex. I wouldn’t say those words to my worst
enemy, let alone scream them at my spouse!
But,
one day I knew God was instructing me to stop at her apartment and tell her
that He loves her. I put it off until it was time to walk up to the school and
collect my children for the day. As a matter of fact, I put it off so badly
that, upon arriving at the corner near the school, I had to inform God that if
I went back to talk to her, I’d be late for the kids. Almost as if He was
shaking His head and laughing at me, He said that if I’d obeyed Him sooner I
wouldn’t be in that dilemma. I turned around and went back.
I
was anxious and knew she wouldn’t understand a word I said, but I knocked on
her door. No one answered. With a sigh, I was relieved to believe that God
merely wanted my act of obedience, but that He wasn’t going to require me to
actually talk to the woman. After knocking a second time and getting no answer,
I turned to walk away. One step into my retreat, and she opened her door with a
fearful, questioning look on her face, half hiding behind her door.
“Jesus
wanted me to tell you that He loves you,” I said. (Or something to that
affect.) Immediately, she seemed to understand. She nodded her head repeatedly
and thanked me over and over again with a smile of joy on her face and tears
rolling down her cheeks.
I
never saw her again. But who knows what was going on behind her closed door
when I got there? Could she have been contemplating suicide? Could she have
been mustering up the courage to leave her lousy husband? Could she have just
been staring at the results of a pregnancy test? I’ll never know. But, I do know
that God used my words - His words, to bless her greatly. I don’t know if I’ve
ever seen such a look of joy since.
By the way, I was at the school before the bell rang.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thin own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and
he shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
"...to obey is better than sacrifice..." - 1 Samuel 15:22 (KJV)
What
were His instructions today? What was the outcome? If you’re not too shy, share
it with us!
(The "fortune" from my last fortune cookie at Panda Express.) |
thanks Helen for this inspiring article. Indeed God speaks to us many times but we make his voice passive! I enjoyed reading through this article!
ReplyDeletethanks
http://www.owenhabel.blogspot.com
Thanks for your input, Owen! Great point!
ReplyDelete