Tag Archives: Still Small Voice

Wake Up!!!!!

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Sometimes. Sometimes I really need people to be obvious with me. I mean REALLY obvious.

After 21 years of marriage, I think my wife finally has it figured out. Get my attention first. THEN tell me what you want me to hear.

For me, it’s no different when God is trying to get a point across. I really do need the attention-getting moment before He drops a truth bomb on me.

WAKE UP

This is exactly what happened to me recently. I can’t go into the details due to confidentiality and privacy issues, but suffice it to say, He woke me up when I heard some shocking words.

After the shocking words, it dawned on me I’d been failing at praying for a situation in my life. Until this moment I had been floating along as a casual observer.

Now that I’m awake, I’m looking back on all the movement, motions, and actions that have taken place surrounding this particular situation.

I should have been praying long ago.

I really thought the situation didn’t fully involve me. I’m wrong.

Instead of being a casual observer, I need to be an active prayer warrior. There isn’t much else I can do. But praying is certainly be the most important thing I can do.

Has God ever “smacked” you awake to a situation going on all around you?

Step Out of The Boat

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From, The Circle Maker, by Mark Batterson

Page 117
“The key to getting out of the boat is hearing the voice of God. If you’re going to get out of the boat in the middle of a lake in the middle of the night, you better make sure that Jesus said, ‘Come.’ But if Jesus says, ‘Come,’ you better not stay in the boat.”

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I often comment to people who are trying to make decisions with the phrase, “Step out of the boat.” As I read the way Batterson comments on stepping out of the boat, I wonder if I should ever say it again. I need to evaluate what it really means to step out of the boat.

The easy assumption is that the phrase is calling people to be bold in their decision to do something. It’s probably time to precede the statement with, “Is Jesus truly calling to you?” If the answer is yes, “Step out of the boat!”

I know the idea of being bold for God, and being bold in our actions is applauded and encouraged by our society. But, as I read, and re-read, Batterson’s words, I’m thinking more time should be spent on intently listening for the still, small voice of God. Listening isn’t something I’m really good at, yet. It is something I can practice. I can develop a strong listening muscle. So can you. It takes time. It takes practice. It means being intentional with our time with God.

Right now I don’t have a developed habit of listening to God. I don’t have a developed habit of spending time with God. There have been starts and stops over the years, and more recently I have started again. Similar to physical exercise, the habit needs to be formed over time. There will probably be pain. There will be days I don’t want to make the effort. But, I know I will benefit from developing the habit.

Is there a time you stepped out of the boat? Did you listen first, or did you just take a leap? Have you developed a habit of listening for his voice?