I drive a tractor trailer these days pulling a set of double trailers to Ohio and back, most of the time traveling with two or three others. During the trip we keep in touch using the CB radio, and on the four hour drive each way, there is plenty of time for some witty banter back and forth! Sometimes the person being verbally picked on will respond as if he didn't hear what was said by answering in a whiny voice "What'd he say?"
It got me thinking that sometimes we might respond to God's directions to us the same way. All too often Christians are taught to pray, but are never taught to listen! And it is a crying shame that is the case. The problem comes from not always knowing when He is talking to you, and not knowing how to be sure you are hearing from Him. But I can tell you from experience, there is nothing so satisfying as knowing beyond a doubt that you heard from God, and then following through with what He told you.
This blog is one case and point. If you haven't already done so, then go back to the first couple of posts, and read how it started. I am convinced that it was a result of sensing the Spirit's leading and direction to do this, and the belief that I was hearing from God within. I am hoping that these posts bear fruit for others, as they are doing an inner work with me, even as I write them.
I am well aware of the long span of time between posts, but, I am also intent on writing what I feel led by the Spirit to write, instead of just my own thoughts. Every time I try to write something else, it is very difficult to word it right, and I can't settle my thoughts enough to write it clearly. The result is that are a few drafts waiting to be finished. Besides, what would you prefer to read?
That being said, and continuing on this theme of hearing from God, there is a recent example I would like to present. Without going into too much personal detail, there is a very significant almost company wide dissatisfaction with management. Much of it has to do with a lot of sacrifices of pay and benefits we have had to make. In our local area there has not been much of a selection for alternative jobs up until recently. What has changed has been an influx of gas companies offering decent money and benefits for drivers, and the need they have for a great number of experienced drivers to hire. There have been a few drivers that have already made the transistion, and a few more that are weighting their options very carefully, and considering it for themselves. Some of these drivers have more than 10 years seniority.
In a recent conversation with one of the drivers asking if I was considering it, I answered that I was, but that I did not want to do anything without hearing from God first. He is a Christian, so I knew he would at least understand my intent. He was considering it more seriously, and did not know what to do.
A couple of days past, and we got a chance to talk on the CB while we were traveling together, and he said that he still was not sure what to do. He said he thought a lot about my telling him that I wanted to hear from God first. He was concerned about not knowing for sure if God was telling him anything, and that he was just not hearing it, or if God was just not saying anything. He did not want to go against God's will, but did not know how to know if he was or not.
During the course of our conversation, I cited some personal examples of times I heard from God, and then it became very clear to me while I was speaking to him that I was hearing from God as I was speaking! I did not say that I was hearing from God on this for him, but I think he sensed it that way anyway. What I said was the following, in a nut shell:
"As long as you are unsure of what to do, then God is not telling you to do anything, so just stay put. Don't make any decisions about any changes yet. You can check out all the information you want about the other job you need to know to make an informed decision, but do not make any changes yet. At some point, something will happen that will take away all of the confusion in your mind, and it will become very clear as to what you are to do. When that happens, you will know it, and be at peace about your decision, and then you will know that you heard from God. It may be to stay put, and it may be to change jobs, but you must wait until whatever happens that makes it clear in your mind what direction you are to go, and then you will know you heard from God. Until then, wait. Sometimes it is all about the right timing."
After that, he indicated that it helped him just hearing me tell him those things. I believe it was a word of wisdom for him from the Lord. Perhaps it is also helpful to a reader of this post? Are you wondering about what to do? Do you have a decision to make, but are not sure of what to do? You want to know what God has to say, but you are not sure you would even know if He is speaking or not! Be at peace. The Creator of the Universe, the Maker of all things that are made, knows your thoughts before you even think them, and also knows how to speak in such a way that you can hear, and knows how to direct in such a way that you will follow. Just be willing to listen. Just be willing for Him to lead, just be willing to follow. God can direct you in many different ways, and when you know for sure that He is indeed speaking, it is such a delight! It comes with practice, each time adds to your experience of walking and talking and hearing from Him. Eventually you might never have to ever wonder: "What'd He Say?"
