Messages Awaited & Received
I'm listening. I'm waiting to hear . . . from God.
I know of too many people who believed they were following God's calling only to realize later amid the ruins of shattered dreams that they were only elevating their wants and desires in an attempt to give them God's stamp of approval.
Perhaps this too was God's will, but I am generally not a risk taker and would be quite happy if God would resurrect the now defunct telegram - brief, to the point, hard to misinterpret messages or instructions - but that's not how God works.
So I'm listening.
I never received a telegram in my life . . . in fact I had never really seen one up close until last weekend at The Big House. You'll have to click on the photo to read it and I've blurred out some words to protect Roy J. and Helen's privacy.
Roy J. was a POW for two years during World War II, but initially he was believed to be killed in action. Roy and Helen were not married but they were in love and Helen says she never came to believe Roy was gone. Last weekend I listened as she told the story of going to a "Spiritualist" when Roy had been reported "presumed killed in action." Such a visit was then and is still quite contrary to Helen's deep religious convictions. Yet she was convinced by friends to go and she "heard" a calling to follow their lead.
Helens swears that "Spiritualist"- who disappeared a short time later - told her not only that Roy was alive, but that he would return from the war, they would marry, and have seven children . . . one of whom would die.
Many years have gone by since that one visit to a mysterious "Spiritualist" but all those predictions came true.
I don't know what to think about that . . . but I'm listening.
I know that Roy and Helen have lived a long and complex love story, two years of which were marred by what must have been a daily sense of fear and apprehension. I can't imagine what that must have been like, yet their story gives me hope.
You see, as Lent approaches I suspect Amy and I may be heading into one of the most difficult times of our lives spiritually. I've already decided to do my "usual lenten thing" - fast and walk - but I have this vague sense that this season will lead us to change . . . more drastic change than in years past.
Lately Amy and I have been struggling with what we "think" we're hearing from God on several levels, calling us to service and certainly calling us out of our comfort zone.
At times we believe we've heard God calling us away.
So we're struggling a bit . . . trying to find a balance between our beliefs, our desires, and what we consider our duty.
When in a place of spiritual uncertainty, my approach is often one of caution . . . to wait . . . and to allow God's will to reveal itself . . . in God's time. Yet there are issues it appears we must address and thus the recent apprehension in our lives.
In any case, my intent this Lenten season is to listen and try to hear God.
But Lord if You'd prefer to zap together a telegram so we get it straight . . . please don't let me stop You.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
4 Comments
4 Comments:
I'm no expert at hearing from God, so feel free to discount any advice of mine. I do have to tell you, though, that I chuckled when I read that you two think God may be calling you "out of your comfort zone."
Is THAT what you call where you've been? Yikes! I'm thinking my comfort zone is a lot more comfortable than yours...though I haven't stepped into it now for quite some time.... :)
"calling us to service and certainly calling us out of our comfort zone."
Is that not what God does when we get too comfortable? He calls us away, to find Him again within all that He gives us. Comfortable, or uncomfortable.
I wonder, and perhaps it's none of my business, but being called away can mean many things. I wonder what you think away means, in this instance. Is it away from home, away from each other, away from somewhere you've been spiritually... is somewhere that might perhaps bring you closer to Him, or possibly somewhere that would distance you.. and if it is, is it Him? Or the other one calling you?
Crystal,
I don't think that God has thought we've been "too comfortable", if He has He and I have another issue to discuss :)
You're right being called away can mean many things, and I was purposely vague for that very reason. However - let me be clear - I was not inferring that Amy and I were being called away from each other, far from it. As the entire post mentioned. I am listening to God - as is the essential purpose of Lent - in hopes of finding a closer relationship with Him.
It is a spiritual calling to which I was referring - away from one we have been apart of for a long time.
I think God may have already answered us in that matter, but we're still listening.
Amy and I plan to spend the entire Lenten season listening.
I'll gladly report back what we hear.
Bless you for your concerns.
Michael
I thought that is what you meant Michael, but didn't want to assume.
Just keep listening. Your lenten goals make mine look silly, and not in a bad way either, just causing me to reevaluate mine. Thank you for that.
Michael.. blessings to you and Amy on this venture towards a closer relationship with Him.
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