Hearing God
As I read about debacle the US is facing with the understaffed IRS and how they are being told “got a problem with taxes? We may not be able to help you” it is easy to become frustrated. What you find is people who either will not take the time to make the call (Perhaps losing compliance and possible refunds.) or those that will make the call, only to perhaps receive wrongful information. (Still others will opt not to file at all.)The hard part is I believe many desire to be compliant, desire to file appropriately and want to just have it done.
What does this have to do with hearing God?
Many people truly want to know more about God and what He may be saying. They begin their spiritual walk perhaps reading horoscopes or with the encounter of someone spiritual. Perhaps creation itself has revealed God to them. However they arrive, once they are there most become interested in what God might say to them. They may buy a Bible or begin to attend a local church fellowship. Their desire soon becomes one of compliance. To be obedient.
Soon after their walk begins they begin to listen to people. They may take an idea that seems to be spiritual and apply it to their life. They may listen to a sermon on finance or marriage and accept it or reject it without ever investigating the truth through the scriptures.
Most of us who have been around any length of time know this to be true. We know our own theology has taken some changes. Moved to a new place in an area or a topic.
The IRS tax codes exceed some 60,000 pages. Heady stuff even for the most determined accountant or tax lawyer. (As someone who reads some 1,000 pages of books, blogs and the Bible a week, I know how much time is devoted to just reading, let alone understanding all of it!) So, when someone begins to become enamored with the Father and wants to learn all they can, it may seem daunting in places and during specific seasons of life. It is normal and right to reach out to others to understand. (Always remember it is an eternal relationship.)
Hearing God? Last night, I asked how many had ever faced a time where they “just needed to talk to someone” and not one of their friends, pastors or family answered the phone. Everyone had experienced that. Only last week I went through one of those. Skimming through a “speed dial” of no answers, I finally realized God wanted some alone time with me. He had things to say to me and He wanted me to hear from Him and no one else.
God wants your reliance to be upon Him and no one else. Unlike the IRS or the missing folks on speed dial, He is available 24/7 365 days a year. He is going to give you the right answer, the wisdom and the insight to go along with it. His grace has the ability to keep you in “compliance”. He has your circumstance or situation in His mind when your answer comes.
What do you or I have to do? We simply need to begin to spend time with Him. To be in relationship. He wants to communicate with you more than you want Him to.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.… John 10:27
Written by Lee Johndrow
Lee is the Senior Leader of Abundant Grace Fellowship Church in Keene, NH
He is the father of five wonderful children. Married for over 26 years to his wife Tina. Loving life with family, friends, faith, fun and food!
