02/16/2017
Is God calling you to greater things but you just can't seem to join Him in the effort? Is the Holy Spirit moving on you in a powerful way, but you can't seem to be able to bring that movement to the point where it bears fruit? This is our contemplation this morning.
"Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."
Ephesians 5:14 KJV
When God calls us He is ready for us to move, but that is only half of the equation; for our part we must join Him in the effort. We need to place ourselves in sync with God's will. Jesus knew this and said as much...
"I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."
John 5:30 KJV
New cars have the ability to interface with smart phones, however, my old car predates this capability. One day I found a remarkable device that I could plug into the cigarette lighter slot in my ancient car and it would receive and convert the signal from my phone and transmit it via FM radio signal to my old fashioned radio. It was remarkable! But for this to happen, I had to find an FM frequency that wasn't already occupied, and then tune both the radio and my new device to that same frequency... when I did, the music, phone calls, and other sounds of my phone came across loud and clear through my car's speakers.
Raising our faith from the dead and allowing God to use us is very similar. First we have to find a method that will allow us to communicate with God. Fortunately there is such a device... prayer. In prayer our physical and spiritual selves can communicate with God. Next, we have to find a wavelength that isn't cluttered with activity. We have to find a quiet place where the signal can flow without interference. I call this my prayer chair; to you it might be a closet, or even your car. Then finally, we must become attuned to God's frequency in that quiet space. Our internal radio of prayer must be tuned to the same frequency as the one that God is sending and receiving on. This requires us to turn the knob or push the buttons until we are in synch... without finding His signal, His will, nothing happens. God is sending, but we either aren't receiving, or can't transmit back.
Hearing God's call and then communicating with Him as He leads us in performing what we have been called to do is crucial. If we hear His call but can't answer back, nothing will happen. We need a conversation; we need two way communication in order to place ourselves within His will.
We aren't like these new drones that people are flying... God doesn't remotely control our every move without any need for our agreement. God is letting us know what His will for us is, but it is up to us to fly the mission. Through our actions on His behalf, we are being taught how to act as His child. Each time we hear His call and do as He wishes, we are given a new skill or level of faith. We are drawing closer to becoming the fully functional "adult" being that God desires us to be. This type of instruction requires the conversation that we have been discussing... a relationship of trust... being on the same frequency... joining Him in His will.
Have you been hearing God's call, but just can't seem to make it happen? Are you attempting to fly the mission but just don't know how, or where you are going? Well, perhaps you aren't on the same frequency as God. How often have you asked someone to do something for you and they did a thing, but not exactly what you wanted? Is this what is happening with you and the call God has for you? Is He wanting you to teach someone, but instead you are busy clothing them, healing them, or feeding them? Are you out of sync with God's will?
When the spirit calls, make certain that you are on the correct frequency... pray, be in a quiet place, and ask for God to reveal his will to you. Don't charge off to do something before you know what He wants done, and why.
Prayer:
Father, I seek you day and night. I search for your voice and your will in my life. Without you guiding me I am truly doomed to fail. Keep me always in sync with you so that we can speak to one another as I go about your business. If I begin to wander left or right, bring me back to your narrow path. Lord, my desire is to grow in you and to find my way in your will with greater ease... teach me to walk your way. Hold me beneath my arms, then Hold my hand, then guide me less and less as I learn to safely follow you. Teach me to become more attuned to your will that I can find it with ease and remain in it always. Let my success in answering your call come as we walk this way together.
Rich Forbes