Listening to God

I was in a meeting last week with someone, named Jessica, who was telling us how she shared a story to a group of young girls. This is how it went:

Imagine a little girl named Mary who has a friend over. All her friend does is talk about herself and her stuff. After a few hours of playing it's time for Mary's friend to go home. Not once does Mary's friend ask what Mary's feeling, or really anything about Mary.

How do you think Mary felt?

The girls who were listening to this story were totally engaged and they all said things like, "lonely" or "sad" or "not important."

Jessica then said, "Well, that's exactly how God must feel when we do the same thing to Him. We so often go to Him to tell Him all about us and our stuff and we rarely listen to Him."

Pretty good picture, huh? I think we all sometimes need to be taught like children - at least I do.

Shhhh...

Today is my favorite day of October. Not because it's the 22nd, but because it is the day I scheduled my monthly retreat.

Earlier this year I began the process of getting away for most of a day to worship, pray, listen and whatever else I feel led to do (read, write, plan, etc...). I have been going to a cabin in the woods in a beautiful setting.

It just so happens that today's retreat comes at an interesting time. I am extremely busy right now and a big part of me would rather stay in my office and plow through some of the things I'd like to get done. However, experience has shown me that these times of quiet listening have been some of the most productive times I have (which goes totally against my nature).

So, I am going to trust God that He is going to show up in a mighty way today. I can't wait!

"Be still and know that I am God."

Psalm 46:10a

Ahead of God

When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the Lord said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over."

Joshua 13:1

I have a tendency to be very action oriented. When I was in a sales position, if I would sell an account, I would be eager to go find the next one. I even struggle with this in everyday life. I oftentimes feel like I need to be doing something. As a result, after I complete a task, I look for the next task to do rather than resting or relaxing. This occurs way more often than I would like to admit. Pretty unhealthy.

This week I read the above verse and it really hit me. I agree, it appears to be a pretty unremarkable verse, but God really used it to speak into my life. In chapter 12 of Joshua, we learn of all the kings (31 in all) that Joshua and the Israelites had defeated and the land they had taken. Yet in the verse above, we see that God comes to speak to Joshua, apparently many years later and says that there is more land to be taken.

I found this remarkable because, had I been in Joshua's shoes, as soon as we had conquered the 31st king, just like in my sales career and in my daily life, I would have said, "OK, where is number 32? Let's go get 'em!" And, I would have been out in front of God (which I have found I'm pretty good at at times!).

But that's obviously not what Joshua did. After they conquered the 31st king, he waited on the Lord. That doesn't mean he did nothing. It doesn't mean he was lazy. But it does mean that he didn't proceed with his conquering business until God told him to. What a great example!

Patience

I have to admit it. I lack patience at times. I am pretty good when I am behind a slow truck or I'm stuck in the slowest line in the grocery store...well most of the time. Where I really struggle is waiting on God.

I have felt lately like I have been stuck in neutral and that nothing is happening. I know in my head this is not true as much is happening...good stuff is happening. However, I have this tremendous desire to see tangible progress every day. When I don't, this frustrates me. I feel like I am not doing all I can to "move the ball down the field." As if it were all up to me!

I read something last night that really rocked my world. It was in Henry Blackaby's book Experiencing God:

How long was it from the time that He spoke to Abram (later named Abraham) that Isaac, the child of promise, was born? Twenty-five years. Why did God wait twenty-five years? Because it took God twenty-five years? Because it took God twenty-five years to make a father suitable for Isaac. God was concerned, not so much about Abram, but about a nation. The quality of the father will affect the quality of all the generations that follow. As goes the father, so goes the next several generations. God took time to build Abram into a man of character. Abram had to begin to adjust his life to God's ways immediately. He could not wait until Isaac was born and then try to become the father God wanted him to be.

God speaks when He has purpose in mind for your life. We are so oriented to quick response that we abandon the word from God before He has a chance to develop our character.

I have to say that this passage hit me square between the eyes and the timing of it was perfect for me. I hope it is for you too.