Listen for God's Voice
We finally got some rain in the desert! It’s amazing how one day of rain can totally clear the air and make it healthy to breathe again. One day of rain washes all the dust off and brings out the vivid winter colors of our desert city. And one day of rain stirs up great excitement in all the children—and winter lawns. (I love winter lawns.)
We had a similar experience in our staff meeting this Tuesday. Ben Hakim, a missionary, who is from Arizona but has spent the last few years in China, taught us about evangelism. He spoke about how he shares Jesus with the people in China. He said the most important thing is not to get people to say a prayer, but to help them know the way God feels about them. He said it’s fascinating to go to a park, or be in a store, or walk the streets, and, through the Holy Spirit, to hear God‘s thoughts and feel God‘s feelings toward people he doesn’t know. He has committed his life to helping people know the Father‘s heart and has learned Chinese to aid in the process. He told us that, once he hears from God about someone, he will go to them and share God’s thoughts about them. He told us many, many stories of people who heard God’s thoughts for them and decided to make Jesus the Lord of their life. He doesn’t often speak to crowds, but one by one and day by day he is seeing the kingdom of Jesus grow, even in a stringent humanistic culture.
Then, as he finished telling us the stories and teaching us some important tricks of the evangelism trade, he asked if he could share some of God’s thoughts about us. Since Ben only knows pastor Kurt and me, he would call out to someone, ask what their name was, and tell them what he sensed God wanted to say to them. It was amazing and wonderful and so right on. It was moving, inspiring, sweet, kind, and encouraging. It was also practical and helpful in many different ways. It was helpful for each individual in navigating their personal challenges and hopes. It was helpful for our whole staff to once again be ministered to and encouraged by the Lord. And, in a couple of instances, it was very helpful for some of the decisions we are trying to make as an organization right now.
As he spoke the word of the Lord, words of wisdom, words of knowledge, and words of prophecy, the air in that room become pure and alive. The dust on our weary, parched souls was blown off, restoring the vivid hopes and passions inside of us. And all the doubt, worry and fear were washed away. Just like the prophet Isaiah declared long ago: “As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, ...so is my word that goes out from my mouth: … it will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” God’s purpose in sharing His thoughts toward us is always for our edification, exhortation, and comfort.
Today I hope you will take some time and listen to the Lord to see what He is saying about you. I also hope you will take some time today, in a place with other people around you, and listen to see if you can hear what God is saying or feeling about them. Then, put your courageous pants on, and ask if you can share it with them.
David
Very important P.S. This Sunday at 6:00 pm we are having our drive-thru Christmas party at Living Streams. Everyone is welcome, but we particularly want the group that is “online only” to come so we can be together in a super-sanitized way and get you a Christmas Eve kit. This kit will enhance your online experience for our Christmas Eve service on December 24.