A lovely woman topped with pure white hair approached me on the walking path. She wore a bright gold top that matched the season, and at each step she leaned awkwardly to one side or the other. She seemed to be in pain. The familiar whisper came into my mind. Pray for her. No, Lord, I don’t want to do that. I bargained with God, which I don’t recommend. I’ll be friendly and if she alludes to any discomfort I’ll pray. “Good Morning, how are you?” “Well, my grandma used to say that the weather affected her arthritis.” Okay, Lord. “I noticed you were walking as if you were in pain; could I pray for you?” We chatted about church and some other things, then she said, “Yes, you may pray for me.” It was so easy. My brain was busy for the rest of the walk. I’m glad I did it; why do I hesitate?
I observed long ago, when I say yes—when I step out of myself —God rewards me with a clearer line of communication. The pathway seems to unclog when I obey. The rest of my walk I spoke to everyone, as usual, but I didn’t sense I was to pray for the others. Maybe Connie especially needed the encouragement and I’d continue to pray for her to be free of pain.
Every day I ask God, sometimes beg Him, to speak to me. Especially in this season of life, I want to spend my time wisely, and focus on what’s important. Here’s my conundrum, God does speak to me, but sometimes I don’t like what He says. I’m happy when He gives me guidance in a particular situation. But, when He asks me to give something big away, or to be with someone I don’t want to be with, or pray for a stranger, I’m not as excited. This must be what it is to walk in step with my Heavenly Father and to listen to His voice. He’s omnipresent— He lives inside me by His Spirit. His residence is Heaven; mine is on Earth. When I obey I bring a little bit of Heaven into my world.
He who forms the mountains,
who creates the wind,
and who reveals his thoughts to
mankind,
who turns dawn to darkness,
and treads on the heights of the earth—
the Lord God Almighty is his name.
Amos 4:13
Have you heard God speak to you? These things will help: regular Bible reading, a sincere heart and uninterrupted time of quiet and listening. It also helps to be desperate.
God whispers to us in our pleasures,
Speaks in our conscience,
but shouts in our pain.
It is His megaphone
To rouse a deaf world.
C. S. Lewis
I’m a tiny part of the Body of Christ on the Earth. What if I carry out the work and purpose He’s assigned to me and every other part carries out his calling? What would Christendom look like in the Earth? What would it look like in my neighborhood?
Lord, help me to say yes even if I’m afraid.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,
but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17