Listening For the Voice of God
Dear Friends,
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Elijah was tired, afraid for his life and hiding in a mountain cave when God spoke to him in a still small voice. Moses was living in exile, far from home and trying to forget his past when God appeared to him in a burning bush. Saul was on the road to Damascus with a huge chip on his shoulder when God blinded him and knocked him off his high horse. As I read of these encounters, one thing is quite clear in the Scriptures. When God wants to talk to someone, He comes to that person in a way that will capture his or her full attention.
I had my encounter with God last month. You see, God came to me while I was driving home from a funeral service. If you could see my calendar for the last three months, you would notice that I had a dozen funerals ​this past summer. Many of them​ were tragic and unexpected. I have to confess that on this particular day I was feeling emotionally bankrupt. I had just presided over ​t​hree funerals in ​f​ive days​. I was feeling very inadequate.
In my mind, my words at the services seemed to lack the kind of comfort that was needed even though they spoke of God’s love and compassionate care. My heart ached as I thought of the loss that these families were experiencing and I felt impotent to do anything about it.​ So here I was in my car. I was praying, talking to God, as I often do when I am on the road. Anyone peering through my window would have thought I was a bit loony. No one was sitting in the passenger seat​. ​It looked as though I was simply talking to myself.
In the midst of our conversation, I turned to the empty seat and said, “God, I wish you were here today in flesh and blood, so that I could reach out and hold your hand. I need you to be real to me today in a way that only one person can be for another. And so do these families. They need to know that you are real and that you care about them.” Now I can’t tell you that the heavens opened up and a voice spoke out loud. But I heard God speak to me as clear as a bell. He simply said, “I know. That’s why I sent you.”
Talk about a revelation. I suddenly saw things in a new light. It was no longer simply Cal Lord going to minister to these families, it was God ministering to them through me. ​Here is a universal truth that we often forget. When ​we allow God to send ​us out in his name, ​we become that human face that reflects ​G​od's love and care. As Christians, our calling in the world is to be the body of Christ. We are commissioned to bring his love, his comfort, his joy and his salvation wherever we go.
Jesus said it himself​. ​He said we are to be the light of the world. We are to reflect God’s glory. We are to be like salt and flavor the world with His love and his mercy. There is no greater privilege than to be the one who comes in the name of the Lord.​ So the next time you see someone you know ​that is going through a difficult time, don’t worry about what you are going to say​. ​Just go and be with them. Look for ways that you can help. Bring a casserole. Go ​mow their lawn or shovel their driveway. Offer to watch their children.
Most importantly, no matter what you do,​ invite ​God in to work through you.​ At the end of the day, you will be a blessing to that person and they will have experienced the presence of God through you.
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God bless. See you in church.
Pastor Cal