His Voice

Before I begin this week’s post, I must thank you, my readers, for allowing me to take a break.  I cannot tell you how necessary it was.  If you have been reading for a while, we just moved into a new home and with work, parenting, etc. I needed some time away from my weekly duties to tie up a few loose ends.  God has been faithful through this time helping me to alter my bedtime routine - going to sleep earlier, waking earlier; exercising more, working on the yard, unpacking and  decluttering, painting.  I also read a book and went on a short vacation.  It’s been a well-spent 8 weeks. 

I mentioned our short vacation, we drove up to Washington DC/Maryland over the Independence Day weekend.  We did several tours visiting multiple historic sites and monuments.  If you have ever driven on I-495/I-95 in that area, you know that the exits come quickly and if you miss your exit it could add a great deal of time between you and your destination.  I drove with my phone leaning against the control panel showing me the GPS map.  Each week, it seems, I realize a new difficulty with my changing vision.  Driving in DC, I realized I can no longer read the GPS turns from my phone.  Not wanting to miss an exit, I connected the phone through the audio in my car so that I could hear the directions and not rely on my ability to accurately see the GPS.   

As I relied upon the vocal directions of the GPS directing us back to South Carolina, I realized how this reliance was like how we should rely upon the voice of the Holy Spirit.  We cannot see what’s ahead in our lives - even with the best glasses, even with the best laid plans, we cannot see beyond our present circumstances.  We must rely upon His guidance every day of our lives.  

During the break, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, as He has many times.  As I always do, my first reaction was resistance.  I bargained.  I hesitated.  I tried to rationalize.  I prayed.  Then I told Him, I would do it tomorrow (3 days after he initially spoke to me) if He didn’t give me a different directive.  Around 6:30am after my now routine morning workout, I was obedient.  I sat there in my car waiting for the next step which did not come.  I’ve now been waiting for about two weeks and I haven’t heard what I should do next.  That’s a bit unnerving, as I already had my plans together and He told me to change them.  Now what?  I’m waiting.  I’m practicing patience, which is a virtue.  And you can bet He has my attention - when He speaks I will not be distracted and miss it.  

Some people wonder how to tell for sure, it’s the voice of the Lord and not the voice of their own mind.  Here’s what I have found to be true.

• His voice is quiet.  
• His voice is sure.  
• His voice may completely contradict our plans. 
• His voice may direct us to do something out of character for us. 
• His directive does not change.  
• When He speaks to me, I have not heard all of the details, just an action, a statement.  
• His voice does not rationalize - there’s no because or if-then statement, etc.

I have also learned that when we hear His voice and fail to be obedient, we are saying, “That’s okay God, I can figure this out for myself.”  This week, as you pray and study God’s word, listen for his voice.  Realize that which you are trying to figure out has already been figured out since the beginning of time.  Do what He says and wait to be amazed by the results. I will keep you posted on my situation.  I have not figured it out, but He has.  I know that and will give Him all the glory when the proper time comes.  Amen.



Thank you for reading!
Please share this with someone you think may benefit from these words. 
Kim

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