Crosswalk.com

Girlfriends in God - Apr. 21, 2008

 

April 21, 2008

Can You Hear Me Now?

Mary Southerland

 

 

Today’s Truth

John 10:27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (ASV).

 

Friend to Friend

Dan and I had been married one year when we moved to Fort Worth, Texas so Dan could attend seminary. I desperately wanted a teaching job, but none was available. Instead, I was hired to work in an insurance office, definitely not my idea of a dream job, but I had a plan. Every day, on my lunch hour, I called the school district’s personnel office to ask, “Do you have a job for me yet?”

 

After several weeks of these annoying phone calls, a frustrated voice finally responded with the words I had been longing to hear, “Mary, will you teach anything anywhere?” Finally! I jumped at the job offer and made an appointment to visit my new classroom that afternoon. The principal escorted me up a flight of stairs, pointed to a door and said, “That’s your classroom. Good luck!” With a knowing smile, he turned and walked away…very quickly. Hmmm, interesting!

Stepping into the classroom, I froze at the astonishing sight before me. Children were jumping on desks while others crawled under tables, all screaming and yelling at the top of their lungs. Paper and food littered the floor. In the corner sat an obviously frazzled substitute teacher who was desperately trying to gain control of her students…uh, make that my students. The classroom was in total chaos! My first thought was, “What have I gotten myself into?” The next few weeks certainly answered that question!

Each classroom was arranged in learning centers instead of desks. The students moved from center to center as they completed assignments, a plan that naturally invited noise. I learned that because of overcrowding, each teacher had been asked to select two children to form a new classroom…my classroom…and of course, each teacher had chosen her two most difficult students.

 

The first few weeks were a nightmarish battle for control. After losing my voice twice, my sister, Betty, a veteran first grade teacher, gave me some great advice, “The louder you are, the louder the children will be. If you want to get their attention, speak softly so they will have to be quiet in order to hear your voice”. I put her advice into action the very next day.

 

As the children entered the classroom, I greeted each one with a silent smile. In my hands was a brightly wrapped box. Curious, they asked, “What is that, Mrs. Southerland?” I merely smiled and said nothing until every student was quietly seated. “I have a new plan for our classroom,” I began. “Sometime during the day, I will call your name once. If you hear my voice, you may choose one prize from our new prize box. If you don’t hear my voice, you’ll miss the opportunity to select a prize.” It worked like a charm! In a matter of days, my students learned to listen for my voice above all others.

 

Stress thrives when we allow the many voices in life to drown out the only voice that really matters, the voice of God. Even Jesus couldn’t please everyone. Why do we think we can?

 

Let’s Pray

Father, sometimes it seems as if my head and heart are filled with voices and each one is telling me something different! Help me to hear You, to stop and listen for Your voice above the rest. I will seek You in the Scripture. I will seek You in prayer and in my daily walk. I am listening today for Your voice alone.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

 

Now It’s Your Turn

  • Make a list of five “voices” that are frequently heard in your life.
  • Examine each voice to see if it lines up with God’s plan and purpose for your life.
  • Strengthen your ability to hear God’s voice above the others by reading and memorizing Scripture. Below are a few of my favorites:

 

Psalm 32:8 I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you

(NLT).

 

Exodus 14:13 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (NIV).

 

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (NIV).

 

Isaiah 42:16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;

I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I

will do; I will not forsake them (NIV).

 

 

More from the Girls

I often receive emails from women asking how they can hear and recognize God’s voice. The first question you should ask is, “Does that voice line up with God’s Word?” One woman assured me that God had told her to have an affair with a married man because they were so much in love and her marriage was so bad. I can say with total certainty that the voice she heard was not God’s voice. The Bible is clear on this subject. Sex outside of marriage is sin. Be comforted by the fact that, more than you want to hear and know God’s voice; He wants you to hear and recognize Him when He speaks. Get in the Word. Pray consistently. Walk in obedience. And listen for your Father to speak. You will hear His voice loud and clear!

 

“Light for the Journey” is my free Online Bible Study that began in direct response to women like you asking how they could hear God’s voice, know His plan and live a life of victory. Check it out!

 

 

Seeking God?

Click here to find out more about

how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

G.I.G.

Girlfriends in God, Inc.

P.O. Box 725

Matthews, North Carolina 28106

Web site: www.girlfriendsingod.com

Email: info@girlfriendsingod.com

 

 

Click here to learn more about hosting a Girlfriends in God conference in your area.