I’m sure God still speaks and He had something to say to my husband on Father’s Day.
His Plan
Joel’s my husband. His idea of a perfect day is fishing. So when Father’s Day was approaching he decided that was exactly what he wanted to do. We drove up the coast to Cocoa Beach on Friday night after work, arriving just before sundown. The next morning Joel was up early getting bait and rigging his kayak for the day. He disappeared from view within minutes after launching his boat and I didn’t see him again until dinnertime.
His Day, His Way
I was the first up on Sunday morning and headed for the kitchen to turn on the coffeemaker. Once brewed, I poured myself a cup and sat down with my Bible and journal and began to write: “Good morning and Happy Father’s Day dear Abba-Father …”
Who’s Day?
About the time I was finishing my quiet time, Joel walked out.
“Good morning!”
“Good morning!” I responded.
“Are you going to church?” he asked.
Going to church is flexible when we are away on weekends. We often decide last minute if we’re going to attend the familiar “big” church, try a new church, or perhaps listen to a sermon online.
“I’ve been thinking about trying that little Community Church up the street. It’s randomly come to mind several times this past week.” I answered.
Joel quickly replied, “I’m not going to church.”
“Oh. Okay.” I said, “Funny you’re saying that. Remember what Bryan said about church attendance being one of the lowest turnouts of the year on Father’s Day? I guess he was right.”
Joel sat down at the table with a cup of coffee and his Bible as I got up to get my second cup.
Suddenly he announced, “Alright, I’m going to church.”
Puzzled I asked, “Why?”
“My next scripture” he said. “The title of the very next scripture I am reading today from Jeremiah is chapter 17: “Observing the Sabbath”
I burst out laughing, “Well alright!”
He retorted, half amused and half annoyed, “It’s not alright.”
I laughed again and said, “ That’s my Daddy! Now I won’t have to go to church alone.”
Listeners of the Bible
God spoke to Moses from a burning bush. In 1 Kings 19, God’s spoke in a gentle whisper to Elijah. Ezekiel heard God’s voice as loud as the roar of rushing water. And just before Jesus’ birth, an angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph in a dream. Hearing can happen during fiery circumstances of life or when peacefully sleeping. God’s voice may come like an urgent boom while other times it’s barely audible. His counsel is evident both in Old and New Testament. Each of these listeners were confident they were hearing God, listened, and believed.
Ears in Training
“But I don’t hear God”, some might say. Jesus assures us in John’s Gospel that Christians do hear Him. “My sheep hear my voice…”(Jn 10:27). He says He calls us by name. His flock recognize the voice of The Shepherd and follow Him. Many believers start off like Samuel does in 1 Samuel 3, not recognizing God’s voice. Listening takes practice. Learning to hear God is encouraged when we witness it modeled. It gives us confidence. Elizabeth reassures Mary this way in Luke 1:45. “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” Elizabeth’s support can inspire us to do this for one another today! Reading God’s Word daily, documenting it, and sharing what we hear in a safe small Yada Group is vital. Together we’re training ourselves to listen and believe.
The Invitation
It was exciting to witness God inviting Joel to His house on Father’s Day. God still speaks, and sometimes He’s pretty darn funny. Hebrews 4:12 teaches us that God’s Word is alive, active, and breathing. So, hearing sometimes is simply a matter of agreeing with what God has already said.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock (Matthew 7:24-25).
Shepherd’s Voice
Do you expectantly listen for The Shepherd’s voice? Hearing Him is as close as opening your Bible. What Did God Say To You Today?