Tag: God’s voice

What is the Invitation of God for You in This Season?

July 10, 2020 /

Once a year we would make the trek from the suburbs of Chicago to this hot humid wonderland where we would get sweaty playing softball in the yard, and then spend hours in the pool playing Marco Polo.

You remember that game, right? The person who’s “IT” closes their eyes and yells, “Marco!”

All the other players, scattered around the pool, have to respond, “Polo!” and the person who’s IT tries to catch one of them by swimming/lunging quickly through the water to the sound of their voice.

To this day, if Katy, Maggie or I get separated from each other in a store, we’ll call out, “Marco!” and wait for the others to respond, “Polo!” so we can find each other. (Yes, we get some weird looks).

The other day after I heard Pete Wynter from HTB say, “Covid has been an INVITATION, not just an INTERRUPTION.” After reflecting, I posted on Instagram, some of the invitations I recognize in this season and one of them is a Marco Polo type invitation.

I believe it’s an invitation to silence the divisive voices of the politicians and the haters for a time and call out “Jesus!”

Then be still and listen for His response. Maybe He’ll call back to you through His Word, or with a whisper, “Here I am. Come this way.”

How will you know it’s Him?

His voice is always alined with Scripture.

His voice is always consistent with love.

His voice may not always agree with you, but it is life-giving.

If He speaks conviction it will be to draw you back to Himself with grace and forgiveness, not shame.

As I was thinking about the invitation to listen for God’s voice, I heard this song from Amanda Lindsey Cook. I pray it’s a gift for your weekend.

Some things you can’t know till you’re still
In the silence
Where your spinning thoughts slow down
In the stillness

Does God Really Want to Talk to You?

March 2, 2020 /

“Marco!”

I hear Katy’s voice above the hubbub of the cobblestone square in the old town of Geneva, Switzerland before I spot her. She’s using our “family finder” call and response from the swimming pool game we all played as kids.

It’s an unseasonably warm and sunny February day. Outdoor café tables are filled with happy coffee-drinkers, students studying, and kids on scooters play nearby.

“Polo!” I shout, spinning around searching the crowd for a beloved face.

We spot each other and run to hug with glee. Katy is in Geneva just for a day at the end of a business trip to Ethiopia, and John and I are finishing three months of serving an international church in Lucerne. Of course we’d take a train three hours to meet for lunch!

I’m not sure why this has stuck with me, prompting me to consider what God might want to show me.

I think of God calling out to Adam and Eve in the garden, asking exactly where they are getting their information. “Who told you that…?” (Implied, “Not me!”)

I think of God calling “Samuel” by name, and Samuel searching for where the voice is coming from. “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”

I think of the Lord speaking to Elijah – not in the wind or earthquake or fire, but in the still small voice that requires him to be silent, lean close, and reflect on God’s gentle question: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

I think of the Father saying “This is my Son with whom I’m well pleased” before Jesus has done any of the razzle-dazzle healings and miracles we may be tempted to believe are required for this affirmation.

What an amazing gift that God spots us always, everywhere. Stuck in traffic, changing diapers, walking to class, meeting with colleagues…

He calls “Marco! I’m here!” and longs for us to run to Him.

We lean in and say, “Polo! I’m listening, Lord.”

He delights in talking with us, speaking words of love, correction, and guidance over us.

Which of these promises is most meaningful to you today?

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

psalm 32:8

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

Jeremiah 33:3

 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

isaiah 43:1

Maybe there are other words from God that come to mind. Share in the comments!

Also…Instagram is a place I love to hang out and connect. Join me there?

God Told Me…Maybe

March 27, 2013 /

Yesterday I got a call from a young friend trying to make a big decision.

And he said “God told me…” a bunch of times throughout the conversation.

I squirmed and felt just a tiny bit uncomfortable as I listened.

I’m not crazy about that phrase.  Not because I don’t think God “speaks”, but because 99% the time when I hear those particular words, what “God tells” the person seems to be rationalizing something they really, really already want to do.

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The Chorus of a Bleak January

January 14, 2013 /

I’ve been doing something weird lately.

It’s January and I think most of us are feeling a bit schizophrenic.  Relieved to get back to the predictable routine of catching the bus to work, and grocery shopping, hair cuts and t.v. shows and recycling.

But there’s also the let down of ordinariness and a bleak winter (for those of us in Minnesota at least) stretching out interminably and we’re thinking it would be kind of nice if there was one more gift to unwrap that was forgotten in the rush.

IMG_3001

So I’ve been listening to Christmas music.  In January.  I’ve left my Pandora Classic Christmas music station on, and it’s been like with all the noise of other Christmassy stuff muted til next November, God’s voice has a chance with me.

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“And NO Phone!”

July 19, 2012 /

So this week is Media week for our little Summer of 7 band of intrepid women.  We’re trying an experimental mutiny against excess in order to get a better perspective on kingdom living.  You can read about our adventures here, and here.

As we planned our media strategy Monday night, Theresa bemoaned missing out on the details of the “TomKat” break-up,  and Cathy has been temporarily disowned by her family in favor of t.v.  Heather anticipated withdrawal symptoms as a Pinterholic.

Our biggest fear though, was that we’d feel cut off from community.  We envisioned showing up at each other’s houses, peering through the window like orphans in a Dicken’s novel, pathetically saying “Please talk to me!!!”

Personally I decided to go without my phone for the week, which I think must earn me brownie points somewhere in the universe because this is sacrificial, darn it!

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