When I think about listening to God, one of the things I sometimes fear is that He might call me to do something. I realize that this sounds kind of opposite what a “good Christian” is supposed to think. Sometimes, though, my human nature kind of likes the noise in my life. It’s comfortable and pervasive, whether its the the kids playing in the next room, or the dishwasher running in the background. I can just sort of coast along with the current of life, letting it carry me wherever it flows.
But, if I stop to listen to God, maybe He will call me to give up something I really like. Maybe He will ask me to sacrifice money, or effort, or time, or to do something that is uncomfortable. Maybe I’ll be challenged to stand up for something, or talk to someone about a subject that might be uncomfortable for them (and for me).
After all, it’s happened before: Consider Jonah, who was called to preach a message of repentance to his enemies. Two “cruises” later (one on a boat; the other inside a fish), he finally accepted his calling and preached his message in Nineveh. He still wasn’t happy about it, though, when God spared the city of Nineveh, after they repented upon hearing what Jonah said (shouted, even) to them.
This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the LORD about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.
Jonah 4:1-2 NLT
When I feel this way, I think that it boils down to a matter of trust. Do I trust God to have a better plan for me than I might have for myself? Do I really, really believe that He is good to His promises, like the one in Romans 8:28, or am I still a little unsure? Do I have confidence that He has a plan for me (like the example in Jeremiah 29:11)? Do I accept that He has been preparing, equipping, and shaping me for a specific purpose, tailored to just me?
For me, those are some challenging thoughts.
I thought about suggesting Proverbs 3:5 as something to read today. Verses 5-12 of that chapter have some wise advice (and, you’re welcome to take a look). However, maybe the reminder that I need is in Jonah 3. Even though Jonah didn’t want to preach repentance to the residents of Nineveh, God had a plan for that city, knowing that they were ready to hear Jonah’s message. God hadn’t sent Jonah on a random mission – He already knew that Jonah’s message would succeed.
I pray that I will have the courage to make quiet time to hear God’s calling and accept it. I pray that you will, too.
A version of this devotion originally appeared at fcccanton.com, as a Study Guide for the September 22, 2013 message, “Getting Rid of Ambient Noise”. Re-used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Those Who Sin Differently 
“Do I really, really believe that He is good to His promises, like the one in Romans 8:28, or am I still a little unsure?” I see that Don has already read this post; your statement reminded me of something I have heard from him several times: Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?
LikeLike
Yes, that’s a great summary of what it all boils down to. Here’s a link to a page on Don’s site, where he uses this quote, (so I can confirm that he uses it in his writing, much like in his teaching): https://lifereference.wordpress.com/2015/09/08/lets-get-started/.
Others have applied this wisdom throughout publications around the Internet, too. I’m not sure who was the originator; however, truth is truth, regardless of where it comes from!
LikeLike