"You hear about God's timing so much, you don't give it any thought until the next miracle sneaks over and smacks you upside the head"
(My Soul to Keep, Davis Bunn, page 105)
"Being an authentic Christian has nothing to do with building a successful career, having a nice family, and mastering the mechanics of daily life. Maturity has far more to do with courageously tackling the deep questions of the heart, struggling with ourselves and with God, and finding out who we are really made to be."
http://relevantmagazine.com/releblog/relationships/why-does-god-take-so-long
This is my "gold nugget" for today. A topic that has been on my mind a lot lately - this helps me understand myself just a little more. :)
I touched base on this topic on my last post but this came up in conversation today at church.
Hearing the voice of God.
Do we hear the voice of God and ignore it? Do we put thoughts in our own minds thinking that we do hear Him but it's actually us? How long do you wait for answer? Do ever miss His voice? And does He only talk to us about "big things"? Is our intuition maybe more God driven than we think?
What if we make a decision that we feel God is leading us towards but events keep happening postponing the final word? I've been told and I know that sometimes when we make wrong choices God will still use them for a purpose. Or that that was the way the situation was to happen.
So how much are we supposed to analyze or rethink or keep asking God about? Ultimately is the decision ours and we face the consequences if we don't wait to hear God's answer? What if we think we do hear it?
And what do you pray for? A sign? Spoken word? What if we miss all the signals?
Again all of this boils down to letting God take our entire life and everything in it - giving up control and relying on Him.
When will we ever start to listen to God's voice? I heard him distinctly today yet ignored Him and what happened? Consequences. I used to think it was more gut instinct that gave me these thoughts but I'm learning more and more that God does communicate with me even if I'm not expecting Him to.
This journey I'm on? I so hit a very deep puddle today but am back out of the puddle...dripping wet but an enlightened and changed. My family and myself are going through challenge after challenge yet we are still sticking together.
Like Carol Kent mentioned last night - make a gratitude list. And I am. And the list keeps growing!! Thank God for the body of Christ and the family members it offers.
Points to remember:
"you just keep your focus on HIM and remember HE is living your life for you as YOU"
"This is what the body of Christ does, we live CHRIST TO one another.....
it doesn't stop!!!!"
"...what happens when you squeeze and orange? orange juice comes out.....
you are being squeezed.....what is coming out......? Jesus"
Oh Lord you're beautiful, your face is all I seek! For when your eyes are on this child, your grace abounds to me.