There are times when we find ourselves lost in this world, and to make
matters worse, we don't seem to be able to hear God's voice. In our
first devotional, we discovered that sin can separate us from our loving
heavenly Father. The second devotional pointed out that side-show
distractions can also hinder us from hearing God. Today, I would like us
to focus on how easily we can wander away from the source of rest.
Keeping ourselves busy all the time can be the reason why we don't
hear from God any longer. Let me explain with an illustration.
My
oldest son was coming home. He had to take a train, then another train,
then a bus, then a shuttle, and finally the car my wife had left for him
at the Toronto airport. When he finally arrived in downtown Toronto, he
had to walk to catch his bus to the airport. There were no signs,
however, to direct him to the bus stop, so he did what anyone would do:
He wandered out into downtown Toronto, randomly looking for the bus stop
address. After walking for a good half hour, he still had not found it.
He became desperate, as the last bus of the day would be leaving in half
an hour, so he called his mom.
The problem was, his mom was in
Alberta, 3000 km away, helping our youngest son move into his new living
quarters. I, on the other hand, was at the "home office," so to speak,
but though I was only 100 km away instead of 3000, I might as well have
been in Alberta, for I truly don't know Toronto at all and had no idea
how to help.
I was so focused on the impossibility of it all that
when my wife called from Alberta to suggest that I might help him, I
couldn't imagine what she was talking about. In fact, I almost missed
her advice: "Go online and look it up, then you can guide him." I just
couldn't fathom how I would ever be able to help: "Hello! Is there
anyone out there that can help my son who is somewhere lost in Toronto
and who wants to take the last airport bus to the airport? Oh, and by
the way, he only has about thirty minutes before the last bus leaves!"
It's only when I finally stopped fretting that I heard the sweet
voice of my Lord and Savior: "Go to Google maps." Immediately I could
envision how I could lead my son from point A (Wherever that was) to
point B (Wherever that was, too).
Via text, my son was able to
let me know the names of the two nearest crossroads, as well as the name
of the street where he would find his bus stop. Within seconds I had not
only located him on the map, but also where he needed to go. I was able
to guide him to his destination, and despite having to stop at a bank to
get cash to pay his fare, he made it on time.
This totally
impossible, nightmarish scenario was only made possible when I stopped
in my tracks and listened to what God was trying to tell me. When I was
preoccupied by my worry, I couldn't hear God's voice; but when I decide
to rest in His arms, His voice was loud and clear!
This is where
the next text becomes a reality: "Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from
me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11:28-30,
NIV2)
As long as we try to resolve things in our own way, we will
miss the rest that Jesus can provide us with. It's hard to hear from God
when we put ourselves in charge of our fate. Resting in the arms of
Jesus changes all of that.
When resting in His arms, we can
anticipate His answer, as it assuredly will come: "In the morning, LORD,
you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait
expectantly." (Ps 5:3b, NIV2)
Unfortunately it isn't easy to step
down and relinquish control. Still, who in this world could boast that
he or she could obtain salvation by him or herself? No one! (See Eph
2:8-9) Only Jesus can promise that, and His promise is valid and true.
The same is true with the rest He is promising us, but it is up to us to
decide if we will take Him up on His offer.
We need to discover
that "the Father is the goal and purpose of my life." (John 14:28b,
MSG). This was and still is Jesus' focus. He never had a problem hearing
God clearly, as God the Father was His reality.
Are you lost
downtown Manhattan? No problem! I can help you with this.
Rob
Chaffart
Lost in Toronto. Why Can't I Hear God? Conclusion
Today's Bible Verse:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and
humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is
easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11:28-30)
Lost in Toronto. Why Can't I Hear God? Conclusion
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