– Monday Muse –
Dear One, it was August, 1980, my parents and an uncle and aunt came north to spend the weekend with Ron and me, and our five young kids. At breakfast Sunday morning, after the children had left the table, my aunt and uncle told of the scandalous exploits of a friend’s drunken wedding party the night before the wedding.
After breakfast was cleared, we all left for church. While riding into town, I was unable to stop thinking about what my relatives had lightheartedly shared. The thought of it caused me to lose hope for the future.
As the eleven of us walked down the aisle to a pew toward the front, one which would hold all of us, I silently cried out, Lord, what is the use of bringing our kids to church, there won’t be any Christians for them to marry?
I had only been having a quiet time for less than a year. What I knew of God was from sermons, stories I had heard, or what I had read from the Bible. So, I had no, absolute no, anticipation of any ‘modern day’ message from God.
While sitting between our youngest and Ron, before the worship service began, I noticed a strange feeling in my feet. Surprisingly, no fear accompanied the feeling. It traveled slowly up my legs, my torso, arms, and out the top of my head. With that, PEACE filled my being, all seemed right in my world. It was then that I heard, “Be assured, they will marry Christians.”
I was astonished.
After the service, I wanted to talk to Ron about it, but our company stayed late into the day, and by the time I got to bed, he was asleep. The next day I told him what had happened. He seemed more surprised than I was. For years after, I kept the message just between him and me, but all those years I derived from it comfort and hope.
Over the years, I have heard a few speakers say that God no longer speaks to people. I have always suspected that that belief comes from those of whom God has not yet spoken. Or, it may be, that God speaks to those who are in need of an extra portion of guidance or encouragement.
So, whenever I hear someone teaching on how to discern whether a message comes from God, or the devil, my ears perk up. One positive method of discernment is to hold the message up to Scripture. If it does not align completely with God’s teachings, it is not from Him. Knowing God and His Scripture is imperative for discerning His will and voice. For Satan speaks to us too. Once, he actually told me to kill myself. Obviously, I didn’t. Instead, I told him where to go, he didn’t, but in the end, when the battle is over, he is going there anyway.
Since hearing that first message, there have been others. They are almost always about something I have never before considered. Sometimes it has been a directive to work on something which I felt completely inadequate to attempt, such as this website. I have come to understand that what God desires us to do cannot be done without Him. Thus our need to rely totally on the daily guidance of the Holy Spirit.
If I never hear directly from God again, I am sure of this. He will always have something to teach me – from His Word, through prayer, and through the examples of faithful Christians.
But ‘hear’ again…I did. It was during quiet time. God had an additional name that He wanted included for a small gathering I was planning. Really God? I hardly know that person. He added, invite her or cancel your plans. God certainly keeps the Christian walk interesting…that is…if we have ears to hear.
“And He said to them, “He who has ears
to hear; let him hear…” Mark 4:9
Blessings,
Susanne
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