Which Voice?

I would like to share a story that amuses me, but made me stop and think. There was a young lady who was conversing with a young man about his recent heartbreak. She was kind to him and encouraged him to trust in God's provision. She successfully lifted his spirits. The next day he came back for more encouragement, and the next day even more. Then the man extolled the virtues of the woman and said "I think God might be telling me something. I wonder what it could be." We'll ignore the fickle nature of heart here and go straight to the issue. What was the voice "telling" him "something"? I don't think it was God, but I do think there's a lesson here. Don't mistake the voice of your discontent for the voice of God.

Now it's easy for me to see how utterly ridiculous it is for someone to be so desperate for love that any kind person of the opposite sex is instantly God's voice saying, "Yes! This is it!" It is harder for me to admit when I do the same thing in my own life, and I have done it. Whether it was pursuing a relationship that was unequivocally wrong to pursue and then saying to myself, "It seems so perfect; it must be God's will," or thinking that just because there are changes at work that I don't like that maybe God's giving me a sign that it's time to find a new job.

God's voice isn't hard to hear, it's just sometimes hard to listen to it. He has given us everything we need for life and godliness. We have His word readily available, and it tells us what we really need to know, but when that voice of discontentment sneaks in and says to us, "Did God really say," we too often listen to what we want to hear. And isn't it the spiritual thing to say that God is the one who is telling us something? I do not mean to make light of the real challenge that life decisions present to us. I get confused and the voices blur in my head, but God's word is there to instruct and reprove me and His throne is open for me to approach in prayer. Even when the answer isn't what I wanted to hear, I know that God's testimonies are pure and good and following them will always be the right choice. I also know that when that still small voice contradicts the voice I've been listening to that it's time to stop, examine my heart, count my blessings and then live a life worthy of the calling I have received.

Ian Gordon Johnson

Ian's daddy did a really good job of explaining his name and posted a couple of pictures.

http://carolinachronicles.blogspot.com/2009/08/introducing-ian-gordon.html

Sermon Illustration

This weekend I was asked if I could be used as a sermon illustration. I acquiesced. I'll let you all speculate and decide whether or not it's a good thing.

Other general updates:

• Nikki's having a baby as I type. I'll post again when he arrives!
• Things are progressing with the house-buying process. Waiting for appraisal results right now, and have no idea how long that will take.
• I'm really loving my church. It's a joy to be there each week :).
• Tomorrow is the 1 year anniversary of Lucy's adoption. Time has gone by quickly. I rather like that little dog, and think that she might not be too opposed to sticking around with me for a long time.
  

***Update: Baby Ian has arrived, no pictures yet, though!***