You don’t always get what you think you will.
Here’s my challenge: truly hearing His voice.
Yes sure, you can sit in church and hear what the pastor is saying through his sermon. And when it hits you right where you need advice, guidance or clarity you’re thankful for how He works in your life. Or a song during worship may expresses exactly what you feel and you have that ‘Aha’ moment of ‘this is where my strength is found’.
But what happens once you get home?
This morning I was praying for someone who I care deeply about. My prayers over the past few weeks have been of empowerment, protection and healing. All the right things. Right?
But I felt it wasn’t getting anywhere. I didn’t see what I thought was necessary in this person’s life.
Do you see that?
There are way too many ‘I’s in that sentence.
Once thing someone told me at church recently was that I will start hearing His voice more clearly. Kind of like tuning in an old-time TV that needed the knob set just right in order to get a clear image. Those words stuck in my mind. I’m praying for real change.
I wasn’t sure how the growth will take place. Let’s just say it’s been enlightening.
It Takes Time
Something in me—the Holy Spirit right?—constantly prompts me to listen. But not listen as I used to do. The old Christel loves rushing through things: I want to get as much done as possible in very little time. My husband calls it ‘cramming’…I used to cram our holidays and we just end up exhausted.
And yes, I even rush through my prayers.
That means mentioning clichés: blessing, power, wisdom…They could be powerful but what if these characteristics are not what a person really needs?
What is more powerful than praying cliches? Waiting to hear what He KNOWS they need. For me, that takes a moment of absolute silence in my mind before I start praying. When I stop my own thoughts for a moment His Words form inside my mind.
And that’s when I discover His heart for someone.
What Should Really Change?
When I get to this point He also surprises me in what I end up praying.
For months I was focusing on what divine wisdom this person needed. Surprise surprise! When I at last started tuning that dial, what I discovered wasn’t so much what I needed to pray over this person’s life that mattered to God at that moment. He actually prompted me to look inward; to myself.
My revelation (TV screen with clear image) was that ME changing could help this person get through a situation easier.
I was praying for a situation to change elsewhere. Meanwhile, what would have been really helpful to this individual was me simply being a safe space, a soft landing and a calm environment whenever we got together. I’m embarrassed to say I was quite the opposite for a long time; wanting to figure out the problem, find solutions and force everyone in a direction I thought best.
So what ended up changing when I started tuning before praying? I changed. Nothing else. But I think that’s what the person has been praying for all along.
My Will vs His Will
So this morning I’m seeing a new angle of what I can be as His ambassador on earth. I often want to be the force that helps people out of the ruts they find themselves in. And yes, I perceive that as a worthy goal. But it’s not always what people need at that moment.
Seeing His ways more clearly then—tuning in—may be that I stop applying general spiritual applications to all people’s lives. He caters in His Word for comfort, for power, for strength, for healing of sorrow sorrow and so much more. It takes Godly wisdom to determine which of these someone needs in a specific scenario. I often think I know what’s best. But who knows better than the One who made that individual?
I surrender.
My will for Yours.
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