Taking It to Work:
We have discussed the importance of this many times before, but it stands as one of the most important aspects of a serious Christian’s walk through life: recognizing and following God’s voice.
That last sentence presents two very great challenges. First, the ability to know if you are truly hearing God’s direction in your life. Look at our scripture from Acts today. Look how important it was to Paul and Timothy to recognize when God was changing their course. It is the same with us. Paul and Timothy would have been at the wrong place at the wrong time, and even with the best intentions, would have missed God’s best for their missions trip.
I wish the bible was more clear on “how” the Holy Spirit forbid them from going to those cities, or how Paul discerned if the nighttime vision was truly from God, or just a goofy dream. One thing is clear though, it was clear to Paul; he recognized God’s voice in his life.
The second challenge is obedience, the following of what you heard. Now that may not sound as hard as hearing God, but think about it. How many things do we already know we should be doing, that we are not doing? How many things are we still doing, that we know God has already told us not to do? And these things are usually right from His Word, where there is no mistake that it is God’s will and voice.
Yes, following is a tough as hearing sometimes, but that said, our ability to recognize His voice in our life is crucial get the most out of this life that He has given us. This includes decisions and direction for our home and family, and also for our career and other relationships.
Imagine how different our work environment would be if each day was guided by His constant whispering in our ear. We would say the right things, be in the right places, we would work on the right things, in the right way, in the right order. We would be prepared, because He would have prepared us for what was coming. We would be confident, because we would know His leading wasn’t just a guess. In fact, we would know it was the best counsel we could ever get.
Most of us, unlike many in the bible, are far from that wonderful extreme, but could it be we are just not putting the time into listening?
Jesus retreated often to a quiet place to have quiet time listening for His Father’s voice. That same Voice guided the great men and women of the bible to their greatness. They listened enough to recognize His guidance, and then they followed.
True fruitfulness in our lives will come from the same. We cannot expect the Father’s best for our life if the only direction we are getting is from our own logic and guessing at the future. We need to seek His voice, first and foremost in scripture and prayer, but if your mind is attentive and prepared, it may be in the voice of a preacher, a teacher or a dream. It may be in the advice of a mentor, a parent, or even in the voice of one of your children. He can speak to us in a thousand ways, but it takes us listening to hear.
Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and they follow Me.” There is no greater counsel and leadership for our lives than that which will come from the Holy Spirit. Start your day by asking Him to speak into every area of your life, including your many hours at work. Then, don’t forget you asked Him as you tune your ear to recognize and follow His voice when you hear it. You may find that you will be much more often in the right place at the right time, as His Word works in you, today.
Acts 16:6-10 (ESV) – And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
John 10:27 (ESV) – My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Luke 6:46 (ESV) – “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
Isaiah 46:10 (ESV) – declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):
Time is My gift; eternity withholds its limit. You have been given life, that your time would bear fruit. This you cannot bear without My Spirit. The repentant heart, cleansed, can hear My voice in time. But where is that time? How much wasted on those things trivial. I call each to My presence, that you would hear My Word in heart and ear, for the balance of time can bear no fruit without an answer to this call. As you seek time with men of influence, that you may prosper in your work, seek first the Author of Life, who prospers generations, and gives power to kings. You ignore the waters over the earth for the pitcher half-full in your hand. Seek My Kingdom, follow My voice, disdain the sin, look not with the lust of the earth, bury the greed of more with thankfulness in My provision. Call to Me that you might have true life, within time, and for eternity. The glutton for more will pass hungry, but he who works in the guidance of My voice, finds more than expected.
