Does this title make you a little nervous? Are you afraid of what you might have to do as a result of it? Are you sad/angry/disappointed/relieved that you don’t hear God speaking to you?
I could relate to every one of those emotions at some point in my life. Oh sure, I had times when I had a sense of the general direction God wanted me to head, even some very specific directions…sporadically. Or times when a scripture verse did seem to fit a situation I was currently dealing with. And I did feel God’s presence in the spectrum of my life from immense blessings to heartbreaking trials.
True confessions. For most of my Christian walk, I have not heard God’s voice clearly and consistently leading me. I’m pretty sure that’s on me, not God.
Enter this season of my life. NEVER before have I so clearly and consistently seen or felt or even heard God directing me. It’s one of the ways that my life is more fulfilled AFTER widowhood than before.
The perfect example is this ministry as a whole, and in much of its minutiae. There is zero doubt in my mind that THIS is what God has called me to at this time in my life. I had wondered for years what God might have for me once I was alone. Never did I imagine it would be this. But it is my passion, my calling and the desire of my heart to share what I’m learning through widowhood, and all that God is teaching me about His promises and His character.
It would take MANY blog posts to share all that I’ve experienced in this new intimate relationship I’m enjoying with God and His plans for me. If you’ve been following my blogs or walking alongside me, likely you’ve seen examples of that.
I’d like to share what He’s been up to lately – at the risk of exposing how I can STILL ignore His voice. A few weeks ago, I was sitting quietly on the couch after finishing my crossword puzzle and devotions when I clearly felt God telling me to write songs for this ministry. Not A song, but songs, plural. WHAT???
Yes, I have been a musician since I started taking piano lessons from my mom at age 6. I consider myself “classically trained,” not one of those people who can just sit down and pound out a tune by ear. I think I wrote a pathetic song with my guitar in college after breaking up with a guy. That’s it.
So, I said to God, “Nope. Don’t think so.” Not an hour later as I was getting ready for the day in the bathroom, what pops into my head but a song title and words to a chorus. Again…WHAT???
Shouldn’t that have been enough? Not for this hard-headed Dutch girl. Another day of ignoring God on this subject goes by and what happens? He gives me ANOTHER song title.
OK, you’ve got my attention now. I’ve experienced God giving me words to write with virtually every blog post (see My Writing Partner), so I figured I’d start the safe way. Just pray that God would give me the words for this song. Not sitting down at that piano yet!
He did give me words, but when I sat down at that piano, guess what? The melody that He brought to my mind caused me to completely change the first verse! Do you think He was telling me Who’s Boss!? It does kind of make me chuckle – and apologize to God for doubting Him.
So, as of this writing, I have two completed songs; multiple verses, choruses and bridges. And imagine this – the song titles are the two He gave me from the start. I have two more ideas running around in my head and have started putting words AND music down for song #3.
I’m in awe of this whole thing. Blown away. Speechless. But so grateful for another clear leading from God. I don’t know where this is going, but it’s not necessary for me to know in order to follow Him. I’m quite sure I’ll be sharing this part of the ministry somewhere down this road – in His timing if I continue to listen well. Stay tuned!
So, my purpose in this blog post is two-fold. First, I did so want to share with you this exciting new venture God has added to the ministry. But I also want to encourage you in your own journey of listening when God speaks.
Don’t be discouraged if it’s not happening for you yet…or now. Maybe He’s got something planned for you right around the corner. Just waiting for the perfect timing…or the perfect trial.
But maybe it IS wise to examine your heart and take stock of your own listening skills. Ask God to show you His plan for you. Sit quietly LISTENING for His answer. And when you hear it, ACT. Sit down at the piano, so to speak, and watch Him work through you. I can tell you it’s humbling and so awe-inspiring. You don’t want to miss out on that!
If you have a story about hearing God’s voice and following Him (or not!), please consider sharing it in the comment section. You might be just the encouragement someone needs today.
Be still, and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10
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