Many people today ask, "can I really hear God's voice?" When I first
began to ponder that question, I think I expected God to open up the clouds and
give me a resounding "yes" or "no" on certain decisions I
had to make. And while that would be convenient, it doesn't require me to seek
Him through His Word. It doesn't
teach me about the character of God. He's given us ears to hear, although, he
usually doesn't speak to us in an audible way. I've never heard God speak audibly, but that's not to say he doesn't,
and that he won't. I quickly learned why it is that he uses His Word to speak to us.
Hebrews 4:12 says, For the word of God is living and active,
sharper than any two-edged sword...
God's Word is a weapon, a tool. It's not just a book to read for
our pleasure. Yes we can study the History in it and yes it is a pleasure for
us to read. But that's not wholly what it's intended for. Just think about it.
How can one book be picked up by millions of people all over the world on a
daily basis, and have a different effect on each person, each time. It's
living. It's active. And it's intended to speak to us and guide us. Never once
have I picked up the Bible to read it and said to myself, "Hmm didn't get
anything out of that." There's a reason. That reason being that it's a
tool the Lord uses to speak to us.
Where the Word of God dwells,
it also directs.
I'll admit, I know there are times I've missed the mark on this.
Many times. Because of the way that God is willing to guide when his words dwell
inside of me, I've come to the realization that that never had to be so. Where
His words dwell, and dwell richly inside of us, he directs.
I saw the fruit of this recently, before our move to Nevada. A
cross-country move is no small undertaking. We were standing completely in
faith, knowing that God would direct. When given the offer, Sam felt strongly
about taking the job. I trust my husband's judgment and have incredible faith in
him to make wise decisions for the two of us, and for our future family. Still,
a part of me was hesitant. At that moment, I had to decide, is this me just
saying,"This is new. This is scary. This is uncomfortable." Or was
God beginning to show us that we needed to slow down and really think this
through. So in turn, I told Sam over the phone while he was still in Nevada for
the interview, "When you get home, we need to sit down and seriously
consider this move. There are positives to both moving and staying where we
are. There are potential negatives to both. The last thing we need to do is
make a hasty decision." He agreed.
That night, I remember being very uneasy. I simply prayed, "Lord, if this is me being fearful, please give me peace. Guide us into the right decision, and please don't let us miss it." I asked God for a very clear answer. Specifically, that he'd close the door we didn’t need to walk into. As I talked to my friend Stephanie that night, she reminded me that when we ask, He answers. And the truth of the matter is, I had been thinking about the move more than praying about it. I was reminded and began to read Matthew 7:7, which says, Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. So, I didn't hold back on praying the specific prayers. "I'm asking, I'm seeking, I'm knocking. Lord do what only you can do to make the path clear for us." And I fell asleep with this knowing that He would answer.
That night, I remember being very uneasy. I simply prayed, "Lord, if this is me being fearful, please give me peace. Guide us into the right decision, and please don't let us miss it." I asked God for a very clear answer. Specifically, that he'd close the door we didn’t need to walk into. As I talked to my friend Stephanie that night, she reminded me that when we ask, He answers. And the truth of the matter is, I had been thinking about the move more than praying about it. I was reminded and began to read Matthew 7:7, which says, Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. So, I didn't hold back on praying the specific prayers. "I'm asking, I'm seeking, I'm knocking. Lord do what only you can do to make the path clear for us." And I fell asleep with this knowing that He would answer.
Boy did he answer, in a BIG way. That next day, I had decided to
talk to my principal about Sam's job and potentially moving. I wanted to make
sure she was informed of the decisions we had to make. She was completely
understanding and told me that she would be supportive of whatever decision we
made. She is very family-oriented and I was thankful for a principal who could
relate to my situation, as her husband had been in the service.
I went on about my day teaching. After school, we had a new
teacher meeting and the principal said to me, "I need you to stay after so
I can speak to you." As we sat down together, she proceeded to inform me
that earlier that afternoon, she
received her budget from the county and they were requiring her to surplus one
teacher, the last hired teacher. And guess who that would have been? There were
changes that were going to be happening and she said, "I know you and your
husband will be sitting down to sort things out tonight, so I wanted to let you
know because I'm sure this will weigh on your decision." She then said, I
truly believe this is divine intervention." And thinking back to the
prayer I prayed, I agreed wholeheartedly.
See, God does not operate out of human logic. To us in our human
nature, the decision seemed like it was 50/50. But God knew what he intended
for us all along. It was just a matter of getting us on board with His plan.
I never want to attempt to get God on board with my plan. Rather,
I want to be open enough to allow him how to teach me to get on board with his
plan. His plan, in the end, is always what's best for me. And things come full
circle eventually.
After the weekend we moved to Reno, I was out driving and praying
for continued peace about being here. I had dropped my family off at the
airport earlier that morning and for the first time in life, let them go knowing
that I wouldn't see them for months. It was heart-wrenching and somehow I still
found peace. The Lord reminded me that sometimes we have to leave the very
thing that seems 'good' to find his best for us.
When His words dwell inside of us, it builds our faith. It builds our trust in who He is and in His ability to speak when we call out to him. There's no better feeling than the knowing that comes with seeking God for direction, and watching Him do what only He can do.
Call to me and I will answer you, and will
tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Jeremiah 33:3
