Can You Hear Me Now?

Have you ever listened to what someone else is saying and changed something in your life because of that?  I know, that is kind of a loaded question!  We all have people that we listen to.  Just the other week I listened to the weather guy who was predicting really lousy weather on Sunday.  There were races scheduled, but I had already decided that with the incoming weather I would spend some time making much needed truck repairs that day instead.  Well, listening to the best guesses of the weather guy turned out to be a bad idea.  When the sun rose it was a beautiful fall day in Colorado.  So instead of a day under the truck, it was a wonderful day at the track.

Weather people are just one example of people who offer input into our lives.  But many of us have people that want to give us their advice or wisdom.  Some of the input is welcomed and encouraged while other input is not.

When God called me to quit my job as a firefighter and to go into ministry, there were many people who encouraged and prayed for us.  There were others who could not understand why Kam and I would make a decision to leave behind the safety and security of a great job and all the benefits that went with it.  They were not being mean spirited, they just had no idea what all was involved.

Things that some people say to you can make you start to doubt if you are doing the right thing.  That doubt may even creep in and make you wonder if you have the ability to do what it is you want to be doing.  Their negative influence can really drag you down.  It may not be their purpose to have such an influence on you, but it is the result of what is said or not said.

So how do we move beyond this?  In the first few paragraphs of the book of Nehemiah we see him faced with a serious issue.  He gets news that hurts his heart.  His response is to fast and pray.  All too often we seek God when things are really bad, but not in everyday matters.  We need to slow down and seek God.  He wants us to bring our lives before him.

There are a few promises in the Bible that encourage me when I know that I need to be seeking God.  The first is found in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.  Then in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us”?  So you see, if it is God’s plan then he will be there with us.  So take time each day to seek God through prayer and he will guide you, not others.

Ken Webb

Team RFC West Central Regional Director