Skills for Following Jesus

Skills and tools for following Jesus and discipling others.

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How We Hear from God – Part 4

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In the last post we talked about the connection between the depth of our relationship with God and how we hear from Him. If you think about it, this is true in any relationship. When we first meet someone and begin to get to know them, we may not be sure if a remark was meant as a jab, a joke, or sincere. But as we get to know them and their character better, our level of communication also improves.

Another way we hear from Jesus through His Holy Spirit is through other followers of Christ. Sometimes this is deliberate and sometimes the person speaking doesn’t even know the impact their words are having on us. This is yet another reason why relationships with other followers of Jesus are so vital to our spiritual growth and health.

As I think back over my life, countless individuals have impacted me profoundly. At times I was fully aware of the fact that God was speaking to me through them. For instance, early in our marriage, my wife and I had gotten in the habit of showing up for appointments a half-hour late. We always seemed to have a good reason for doing so.

But one evening some dear friends invited us to dinner. As usual, we showed up 30 minutes late, oblivious to the hardship this was placing on our relationship with them. They tenderly pointed out the impact our behavior had on them and others and we were deeply impacted. Their gentle confrontation changed our behavior and our lives for the better.

I also wager that many of us have heard from the Lord through a sermon, book, or a person’s testimony. The Lord also gets our attention and talks with us in our suffering and trials, in extremely joyful times, through His creation, and in virtually all of our experiences. In all these ways, the Holy Spirit speaks to us.

But let’s also look at some reasons we don’t hear from God.

  1. He chooses to be silent for our benefit. In Mark 4:35-41, we read about when Jesus was with His disciples in a boat. He was asleep in the stern while they feared for their lives in the storm. In this instance, He was present but silent. And when they woke Him in fear, He chided them for their lack of faith.

    Sometimes for reasons we may not understand, the Lord chooses to be silent when we are in the thick of life and feel like we need to hear from Him most. In such instances, we need to rest in His care and trust that He is present even if He’s silent.

  2. We distance ourselves from Him by not being in His Word. When we read God’s Word, we should always go to the Word with the desire to meet with Him. We go to His Word expecting Him to speak to us. Too many Christians just study the Word to learn facts. The Bible is full of interesting truths, AND God speaks to us through His Word. So, spend time often in God’s Word.

    When my wife and I were engaged, I was in Berlin, Germany in the Army and she was in Idaho. In the early 70s the only viable means of communication for us was writing letters, so we wrote to each other daily. But imagine how insane it would have been for me to receive her letters but never read them! Instead, I devoured her letters because I missed her and wanted to get to know her better. The Bible is God’s love letter to us.

  3. We are distracted. For various reasons I suffer some hearing loss. I find it most difficult to carry on a conversation with someone in a crowded, noisy room. Many of us are so distracted by the “noise” in our lives that we can’t hear God’s voice when He is talking to us. Almost anything can be a distraction in our lives, so you’ll need to figure out what those are for you.

    One simple way to shut out distractions is to set aside a time alone with God each day. For me, this is early morning before anyone else gets up. Establish a time where you can shut out distractions and meet with the Lord daily.

  4. We are stubborn or fearful and don’t want to listen. I’ve had people say to me, “If I listen to God, He may ask me to be a missionary in Africa!” This is somewhat like refusing to go to the doctor about our illness, because we’re afraid he’ll tell us that we’re sick. “God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV)

    Also, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11) Trust Him! He always chooses what’s best for us. He is our loving heavenly Father.

  5. We don’t want to give up our sin. This is like two-timing with God. When we refuse to turn from some sinful practice, we’re in rebellion against God. We’re being unfaithful to Him. Our relationship is broken and therefore communication cannot take place on an intimate level. In fact, if we’re knowingly sinning, we probably don’t even want to hear from God!

    If this is where you find yourself, please read Psalm 51. David wrote this after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. In David’s prayer of confession, he longs for his relationship with God to be restored and it was.

Sometimes our problem is not that we don’t hear from God but that we don’t heed what He says. The rich young ruler wanted Jesus to tell him what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. But when Jesus told him, the man went away sad because he valued his stuff more than he valued relationship with God. “…If you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts….” (Hebrews 3:15)

If we genuinely want to hear from God we will. He does not toy with us or withhold communication from us. Like Samuel of old, may our prayer be, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:9)

How We Hear from God – Part 3

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In the last post we discussed the fact that God tells us to listen to Jesus. God said, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5) We listen to Jesus today by reading His Word, the Bible, and heeding what He says. We also listen to Jesus through His Holy Spirit whom He sent to live within us.

When Jesus dictated the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3. He closed each letter with the words: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22)

We long to hear a word from God, but to what end? A few, I suppose, are looking for a sensational “God” experience in which they hear an audible voice. Perhaps many more of us are simply desperate to know God’s will in a situation and we want to hear from Him before we take the next step. We don’t long for an audible voice, but expect more of a strong impression or prompting from the Holy Spirit—but how?

There’s much more to communication and hearing from God than a voice or a prompting. For when it comes to communication, it all goes back to relationships. Let me explain what I mean with the following illustration.

In John chapter 4, Jesus and His disciples were traveling through Samaria to return to Galilee. Jesus was tired from the journey and sat down by a well while His disciples went into town to buy food. A woman from the nearby town came to draw water and Jesus asked her for a drink. At this point, the conversation was stranger-to-stranger, and the woman even questioned why He, a Jew, would ask her, a Samaritan for a drink. For Jews did not associate with Samaritans.

At this level of relationship, it was a polite conversation between two strangers in a “chance” meeting. But Jesus moved the relationship up a notch when He told her that He has water to offer her that if she drinks, she will never thirst again. He now had her rapt attention and she wanted some of this water. Her interest has heightened both their relationship and their level of communication.

Then Jesus cranked the level of their relationship way up when He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” At this the woman opened up and responded, “I have no husband.” To which Jesus replied, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

Reading the narrative, it feels like she thought Jesus got a bit too personal here, but she was stunned by how He could possibly know these things about her. Perhaps in her discomfort with the personal way the conversation turned, she changed the subject and talked about the differing views on worship between the Jews and Samaritans. In that context she said, “I know that Messiah is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I, the one speaking to you—I am he.’” Hearing this, coupled with all that Jesus had said to now, she believed Him, left her water jar there and ran to town spreading the news everywhere, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” And we’re told that many of the Samaritans believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony.

This incident beautifully demonstrates various levels of relationship and communication. And we experience these different levels daily. For instance, you might go to the store and have a brief conversation with the cashier about the weather. You may not know each other’s names. You may never see each other again, but you experienced a friendly conversation with another human being.

At home, the doorbell rings and there’s a salesman on your porch telling you he can solve the problem with your dying lawn. He’s got your attention. You may be interested in hearing what he has to offer, but chances are, you’ll confine the conversation to the front porch. It’s still impersonal and fairly fact oriented. This is a business-like conversation.

Later that day, a good friend shows up at your door unexpectedly and asks if he/she can come in. They need to talk about an issue going on their life. You graciously invite them in and lead them into your living room or kitchen. You serve them a tasty beverage and sit down with them to hear what’s going on in their life. You empathize with them and are deeply concerned for them.

Of course, there are even deeper relationships than that one with your friend. Often, when my wife and I are in public, just a glance, a nod, or a squeeze of her hand communicates volumes. We are in tune with each other like this because of the intimacy of our relationship.

These examples, as well as the progression we saw with the woman at the well, represent various levels of relationship AND communication. If we truly want to hear from God, we must ask ourselves what level of relationship we are cultivating with Him, for that greatly determines the kind of communication we’ll receive.

We began this post talking about how we hear from Jesus through His Spirit. This is not something mysterious or mystical. Paul explained, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Romans 8:14-15)

In the same chapter, Paul describes being “led by the Spirit” as a lifestyle of living with the desire to please Him. By the Spirit we “put to death the misdeeds of the body.” (Romans 8:13) In this humble, yielded relationship to the Lord, He invites us to call Him “Abba” (Daddy). He offers us a very intimate level of relationship with Him. Within such a relationship, we’re attuned to His voice and His leading.

But instead of crying out to Him in this daddy-child relationship, we often approach Him formally and with social distance. Just listen to the way we pray to the Lord. Sometimes we treat Him more like the casual conversation with the cashier at the store or the salesman on the doorstep. We keep our relationship with him at arm’s length because we’re afraid of what He might demand of us if we let Him get closer. We dictate this standoffish relationship and wonder why we struggle to hear from Him.

We need to press into Him. Come to Him in complete trust as our Abba, Daddy. Abide in or remain in Jesus (John 15). “Walk by,” “live in,” and “keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5). “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” (James 4:8) These are all expressions for the same intimate relationship with our Lord. And it’s within this intimacy that we hear from Him.

Are You Ready for an Adventure?

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On January 13, 1914, the following announcement appeared in a London newspaper:

“MEN WANTED: FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. SMALL WAGES, BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF COMPLETE DARKNESS, CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL. HONOR AND RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS. – SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON”

Over 5,000 men and women responded to that ad in which Shackleton sought recruits for his 1914 Trans-Antarctic Expedition!

You might wonder, why are people drawn to an adventure like that? What even constitutes an adventure?

I think G. K. Chesterton nailed it when he wrote, “An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly understood. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly understood.” According to that definition, whether we view challenging circumstances as an adventure or an inconvenience is solely up to us.

By its very nature, an adventure stretches us and challenges us beyond what’s normal, otherwise it would be no adventure at all. And precisely because an adventure stretches us, we’re never the same afterward. Those who know this about adventures, not only savor the experience but also the change that the adventure will bring about in them. But those who see only inconvenience, whine and complain and only long for the inconvenience to finally be behind them.

Last summer I challenged my then 16-year-old grandson Jack to an adventure: to climb Scotchman Peak with me. It’s a steep four-mile climb up gaining 3700 feet of elevation. I was delighted to be able to talk Jack into it without too much pestering. It’s one of my favorite hikes and I assured him he’d enjoy it.

But about a third of the way up the mountain, Jack stopped for a break with sweat dripping down his face. He was bent over with his hands on his sides trying to catch his breath. After a few minutes, he said, “Grandpa, I think this hike is going to be a one-time thing for me.” I encouraged him that the view on top was well worth the climb and that I knew he could make it.

When we reached the summit, we were greeted by a scruffy-looking mountain goat! What a treat! It was a cool, crystal-clear day and the views were stunning with Lake Pend Oreille to the southwest and mountain tops all around.

We stayed on the summit long enough to eat a tasty snack. After taking in all these stimulating sensory delights and enjoying a sense of accomplishment, Jack turned to me and said, “Grandpa, I’ve changed my mind. We’ve GOT to do this hike again!” We were only halfway through our adventure and already Jack was changed.

Some adventures, like mine with Jack, we consciously choose to embark on, while other adventures are imposed on us. Israel’s forty-year trek through the wilderness was an adventure they initially agreed to without really knowing what it would entail. From all their grumbling and complaining, they viewed their experience as more of a huge inconvenience than an adventure.

Yet, at the end of those forty years, Moses reminded them, “The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.” (Deuteronomy 2:7)

God’s people witnessed His mighty works, His protection and provision first-hand. Their adventure was truly monumental! They now knew God in ways they had never known Him before. Their adventure taught them He is faithful and loving. But they only gained this experience because they stepped into the adventure.

This current COVID-19 situation was imposed on us. But we have the choice whether to see it as a gross inconvenience or as an adventure. Those who are inclined to see it as an inconvenience long for everything to return to “normal.” Those who view it as an adventure, not only savor the experience now but look forward to the change this adventure will bring about in them.

How about you, are you ready for an adventure? I am! “Lord, we commit ourselves into Your loving care! Please help us to glean everything from this experience you have for us by approaching it as an adventure in faith.”

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!  Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT)

Social Distancing vs Social Isolation

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God designed us for social interaction. Some of us might think we’re loners, but if you’ve watched any of the “Alone” television series, you have to admit that even the most independent of souls suffer when isolated. When God created Adam, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18)

Social distancing is a temporary strategy for preventing the spread of the coronavirus. And beyond its intended purpose, some other good things have come about due to social distancing and sheltering in place. Families who live under the same roof are spending more time with each other talking, playing games, and walking and hiking together. I’ve heard more than one person predict a baby boom in nine months due to the sheltering-in-place order!

But not everyone is experiencing the positive side of social distancing and sheltering in place. Ripped from normal interactions at work, the gym, church, school, coffee shops, restaurants, and a myriad of other social gatherings, some are in danger of slipping from distancing into isolation.

Social isolation has detrimental physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual effects. Some of these include stress, melancholy, depression, worry, anxiety, loneliness, substance abuse, pornography, eating disorders, and other self-destructive behaviors.

Nobody is immune from the ill-effects of isolation. Even the great prophet Elijah succumbed to its dark pull. In a spectacular demonstration of God’s power, Elijah had just bested 450 prophets of Baal. But immediately following this spiritual and emotional high, the wicked queen Jezebel swore to kill Elijah.

What did Elijah do? He was afraid and ran for his life. Then, he left his servant along the way and continued running alone (1 Kings 19:3). He isolated himself. He became so depressed that he asked the Lord to take his life. Apparently, he wasn’t eating because the Lord had to provide for him and urge him to eat.

This pattern of isolation went on for at least forty days. In verse 9 of that chapter, we find Elijah in a cave. Like a wounded animal, Elijah has dragged himself off to die alone and rejected. The Lord compassionately asked him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” From what Elijah tells the Lord, we surmise that he was moping. He was throwing a pity party. Basically, he told God, “Everyone else has forsaken You, except me. I’m the only faithful one in Israel, and now they’re trying to kill me.”

Lovingly, the Lord demonstrated His presence with Elijah. Then, God gave him a series of tasks that all had to do with people, taking him out of his isolation. Then the Lord said, “By the way, you’re not the only faithful one in Israel. I have seven thousand others in Israel who are still faithful to Me. So, you’re not alone after all.” (vs. 18)

But let’s not be too hard on Elijah. If we’re honest, we can probably all intimately identify with what Elijah was feeling. In such circumstances, isolation is like a drug. We know it is self-destructive, but we yield to it because we feel so beaten down.

7 Strategies for Resisting the Pull of Isolation

  1. Stay connected with people every day. Call someone you know simply to chat and stay in touch. Reach out to distant friends you haven’t heard from in a while and catch up.
  2. If possible, get outside into the fresh air every day. Go for a walk or a hike. Get some exercise.
  3. When you go shopping, observe precautions, but go out of your way to interact with people safely.
  4. Limit the amount of news you watch or listen to. The media thrives on sensationalism and being bombarded with it can be discouraging and depressing.
  5. Spend time with those in your household: pray together, read the Word, sing together, play games, make love with your spouse, go for walks or drives together.
  6. Order takeout from a local restaurant to support them during this lean financial time and make a point to interact with them.
  7. Meet regularly with a spiritual partner via phone or some other technology. Share your joys and challenges with each other and pray for each other.

And you probably know some additional ways to resist the pull of isolation.

Those who live alone may be most vulnerable to isolation during this time, so remember to connect with them and offer encouragement and help.

“Always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

The Big Question

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Someone asked me if I thought the coronavirus pandemic represents God’s judgment. I’m not qualified to answer that question. But perhaps a better question would be, “What is God saying to us in the midst of this crisis?” That’s a question each of us can answer individually.

Whether in times of prosperity and happiness, or times of severe challenge and grief, God is always extending His mercy, His grace and His love toward us. David declared in Psalm 145:8-9, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

God is always reaching out to us. Jesus said, “I came to seek those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10) We’re told that “God is not willing that any should perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) And when Jesus was here on earth, He healed everyone who came to Him regardless of who they were or what they’d done.

One thing I do know is that it is always fitting to assess our relationship with God and others. And life situations like what we’re dealing with right now tend to sober us and make us reflect on our lives and what really matters. Times like this strip away all other distractions and help us see more clearly.

  • Do you need to get right with God? “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) And, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
  • Is there someone you need to forgive? “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)
  • Are you fearful? “The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.” (Psalm 145:13-16 NLT)
  • Is it time to reassess your priorities? People and our relationships with them and the Lord are ultimately what matter most. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)

Finally, let’s continue to pray. Pray for an end to the coronavirus. Pray for the safety of others. Pray for healing for those who have been infected. Pray for our country’s leaders. And pray for spiritual awakening here in America and throughout the world.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

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