Remember that time your mother warned you not to keep playing with fire and when you chose not to listen, you found out just how much it hurt? You then learned to listen to your mother more often. Just as this dynamic occurs in the natural world, it also occurs in the spiritual realm. God whispers to us everyday and it is not enough to listen, you must be obedient. Listen to your inner urgings because they are The Holy Spirit trying to tell you something. Learn to recognize your strong feelings or "gut feelings" about your day-to day life. God is trying to tell you something.
While you probably know this to be true, do you know specifically what God is asking of you? Let's take it a step further and ask the question, How do I know it's God I'm listening to?" Is this my self-talk of doubt talking or is this the voice of The Lord? You know when everything feels right and there are no inconsistencies in your emotions, thoughts, and deeds. The sooner you align your obedience with God's will, the sooner you will open up God's blessings in your life. You will know it's God speaking to you first through deep feelings (not the surface, dramatic, emotional stuff, but your profound feelings). If we choose not to listen, those deep feelings will turn into a quiet whisper from within. If you continue to be disobedient to the whisper, God usually sends a sign from outside of yourself. If you are still moving too fast or doing too much to take heed, He will send a messenger.
Maybe it's that woman you met at the grocery store who mysteriously walked up to you and referred to something as if she knew what you were dealing with. Or it could be that song on the radio at just the right time. By the time God has to send a messenger, we really haven't been listening. God reserves something for us even after we have sent His messenger packing. The something is pain and suffering. Because pain is not your natural state, it is a warning that something is wrong and you should proceed immediately in the direction opposite the pain. If you continue to allow God's requests to fall on deaf ears, we open the door to struggle and undo suffering.
How do we avoid this chain of disobedience? The answer is simple. Listen and do what God is "telling" you to do through your visions, ideas, and heart's desires. He is a God of promises and if we do our part, he will bless us immensely. Will you begin to be obedient to God's call today? What will you do first? Email me and let me know...I look forward to hearing from you! Love, Ericka June 2006
Ericka D. Jackson is a Christian Speaker, Author, and Business Coach. She provides individuals, organizations, and churches with the tools to achieve God's vision for their lives. Visit http://www.erickajackson.com for insights, techniques and resources to fulfill your calling.
