Is that you God?

We know from countless Bible stories that God has a voice. Discerning it is beyond difficult. It's gotten the forefront of my attention this week. 

I get a lot of thoughts and insights into stuff, and I struggle with what to do with them.Should I say something? Should I let it go? If I say something, what bad things will they think of me? If I say something, how could it help? If I don't say something, what could happen? If I don't say something, what bad things will they think of me? 

I had 2 different occasions this week where I wrestled and decided to move forward. Measured by the response of the recipients, one went really well and the other one didn't. 

I had 2 more times this week where I wrestled and didn't move forward. One situation ended tragically. The other one is still in process.

God, if you could make this a little easier to hear your voice, it would be really helpful! What do you want me to do? Samuel didn't recognize your voice when it was audible, and he had Eli to tell him it was you. I have learned to wait, pray, listen, consult, not act impulsively - I can't think of anything to do differently!

...and I hear back from God this message, and I am certain beyond doubt that this is God's voice: You recognize my voice. Follow it. Just because it didn't go well by your standards does not mean it wasn't my prompting that you acted on. You are human. I already know that, but you're still learning it. I really am God without you. Yes, some stories will end tragically. Yeah, I do wish you would have acted on my prompting, but it's not like I don't have other options. Get over yourself. You do realize you're not my only follower, right?  It doesn't change a thing. I still love you. No, I am not changing. It is finished. Remember? Keep going. I am.       

Comments

[Stephanie]

Thank you for sharing your human-ness!

[Barry Skalski]

On the one that ended Tragically, Someone said this to me in an email around midnight last night: "You did reach out, you did listen, you did pray, you did seek help on his behalf... And yet you couldn't be his savior; that never was your job. "

At this point, I am really thinking about the situation and to what God is trying to teach me, trying to say to me and trying to prepare me for in the future. Also, to look at the purpose of our roles in this. Remember, he claimed to have accepted Christ a few weeks back, maybe we did do what we were supposed to have done. Maybe that was our purpose before the end.

It has me puzzled too Kathy. Keep doing what you're doing!

[beth]

So,so true; obedience brings blessing, but not always in the way we expect. God is so wonderfully complicated, complex and grace-full. I am still learning how to abandon the outcome when I obey.

Thanks for sharing this. It's very encouraging! Blessings to you...

[becky]

a good word at a realllly good time. THANKS