When Possible Make a Legal U-turn!

In our technology-based society, most of us are familiar with the following phrases: Your satellite's lost reception. Re-calculating. Or, when possible make a legal u-turn.

WHEW. Don't you wish hearing God's voice was as easy? Wouldn't it be great, if God's voice echoed from Heaven: Whoa...stop for a second before you proceed...you've lost connection with me. OOPS you made a wrong turn there...let's re-calculate. Yep, the best option for you right now is to make a legal u-turn and get back to my previous directions.

So, how about it? Ever wondered how you recognize God's voice? I mean really know it's Him and NOT just your mind making things up?

I won't pretend to know how God communicates with you, individually, specifically; however we can hold fast to universal principles to help us discern and recognize His voice. Recently, God's word reminded me of a few principles to discerning His voice:

1. God's voice brings clarity NOT confusion. John 10:14 promises "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—NIV. I love the simplicity of this verse. All throughout Scripture we can read accounts of God interacting with His people. He visited Joseph in His dreams. He spoke to Moses from a burning bush. He whispered in a still soft voice to Elijah. He sent an angel to instruct Mary. He walked and talked with the disciples; gave Peter visions; knocked Paul off a horse on the road to Damascus...the similarity in all of those examples was a profound knowing! No need to guess. God's voice was clear. On a personal note, God demonstrated this knowing in my life. I've been praying and seeking wisdom to know how to proceed with His mission for ministry. Through a series of events God removed all the confusion; though my circumstances haven't changed, there's a simple confidence in knowing what to do next. Friend, you don't have to guess what God is saying. You many have to wait...you may get frustrated...but when HE speaks...you'll possess a profound sense of what to do. The murky waters will turn clear. Your questions will be answered. And, everything will come in to line with GOD's WORD and the guessing will diminish. Until then...press in and press on. Pay attention to the tone of the messages your listening too, because...
2. God's voice communicates compassionate conviction NOT critical condemnation. James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault." (NIV) Romans 8:1-2 reminds us: "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."  (NIV) Jesus spoke harshly with the Pharisees and Sadducees in an effort to eradicate their spiritual deadness...but to the repentant...He communicated unconditional love and compassionate conviction; like the woman caught in adultery...He gently commands us to "Go and sin no more." I guess in a way...this is the OOOPS...When possible make a legal u-turn. :) Friend, why is it that we strive so hard after things that don't satisfy. We pursue recognition, riches, notoriety, wealth, power, prestige... I sense God saying...come back and pursue me...quit striving...embrace my plans...release your ambitions for the temporal; instead, live for the eternal. As God speaks and interacts with us, we will recognize His voice because....
3. God's voice fosters faith NOT fear. Isaiah 55:12, "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace." (NIV) If you're like me, it's easy to begin to pick up the weight of God's call and feel like: I have to make this happen. It's my fault if this fails. I have to do something. It's all up to me...But God calls us to stewardship, not ownership. We may initially be filled with fear and respond like Moses, Gideon, or Mary...Who me? But God always communicates that what will be accomplished is because HE WILL DO IT. His WORD will accomplish it. He will send forth HIS spirit. And...Strangely...as we simply submit to HIS PLAN...our fears vanquish and peace reigns. 

Today, will you join me? Take a deep breath and surrender your ALL to Him. Quit trying to figure it out and instead make your requests known to God. Submit to Him all of your concerns and then wait...


If so be encouraged and expect God to speak: Isaiah 40:31 says that "those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV)

PRAYER: Oh, God. Would you speak to us today? Break through all of our confusion and grant us your wisdom. Direct us. Fill us. Anoint us. Empower us. Grant us Your presence and remove all of our fear. We surrender to You, once again. Lord, would You meet with us. Help us to know You and know Your will. In Jesus name...amen.