Listen to what God says

It's early. I keep no constant sleep time. The dogs woke me due to some lovely mouse traps being set off so I walked them. Did some research for some books. And heard a little song in my head. 'Listen to what God says.' Probably a song from my childhood. Or just a nice reminder. But it kept playing on repeat. Not the song, just that ONE LINE! Talk about an earworm. I googled to try to find it and I can't remember where or who sang it. It's ages old.

But it encourage me for about 2 minutes. Then doubt began to rear his ugly head again. It's so hard to listen to the whispers of Christ when the screams of the world are so much louder. I say that all the time to people I know as a reminder how overwhelming and demanding the world is. And how important and quiet God sometimes is. God isn't forceful. God is a gentleman. He isn't going to fight for your attention. And when you allow the world to rule your hearing, that's what's going to rule it. He isn't going to put in your earplugs.

It's difficult. It's a pain in the holy butt. And sometimes it's not just the world but those closest to us. Those who we walk with. Sometimes they can say things that put us down or make us feel inadequate or unqualified. Yesterday I was having a serious conversation with my husband about where my heart was right now. It was hard to admit where it was because I know that there would be a lot of backlash and rejection to come along with it. But would there really?

God's word tells us that he knows the plans for us. (Jeremiah 29:11) He hand selected us to carry out specific things in our walk. If we carry them out is our decision. Not anyone else. I explained to my husband the obstacles I had in my way and what I felt would stop me from even mentioning my heart to anyone. Past hurts really kill motivation. Words from those closest to you kill motivation. I told my husband that I knew who I was and what God had for me. And doubt stepped in INSTANTLY.

We sometimes feel unqualified or not enough for what God has for us. I could give you a thousand examples from God's word of people who weren't qualified or good enough for their calling. I can show you where they screwed up. Where they had issues. Where the fall happened. But they knew who they were. And that didn't change. My favorite story in the Bible is Noah's ark, that will never change. My favorite character is David.

A man filled with passion and a longing for the presence of God to be with him. David was a little crazy to those watching him. A little over the top. A little bold. But the word tells us that he was 'A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART.' (Acts 13:22) Imagine the weight that title brings to someone. So often we hold onto our doubts so tightly that we miss the opportunity to do something amazing. We let fear control us. We let doubt control us. And we aren't like David.

When David was faced with those moments, he would hit his knees and begin to pray. I mean if I was surrounded by an army of people, I don't know that my first response would be to pray. I don't know that my second or third response would be to run. God has placed you where you are right now to see how you respond. Who do you listen to? The screams of the world, or the whispers of God?