listening to God

Fish Out of Water

October 12, 2017

A little fish came to the wise old big fish with a question that was troubling him. ”Okay,” he said, ”I understand sand. I can see it below me. I know about rocks, and how to hide among them. And I know what plants are. But where’s this ocean everybody’s always talking about?”

Because the fish was in the ocean, and a part of it, he had no awareness of the water in and around him. I remember being surprised at the stillness around me the first time I went up in a hot air balloon. There was a breeze – there had to be, or we wouldn’t have been able to move sideways. Yet there was no sensation of air moving around us. Like the fish not being able to sense the water, we had become one with the moving air.

If that little fish had somehow managed to jump out of the water, he would very quickly have recognized what he was missing. He would not survive very long out of his native element. He was created to breathe underwater.

Do you ever have days, or longer periods of time, where you feel like a fish out of water, gasping to catch your spiritual breath? This happens to me when I miss my quality time with God in the morning. Oh, I may spend time “in the chair,” but I realize my thoughts haven’t been focused on God. My attitude is “off.” I feel out of touch. Things I usually enjoy have become a struggle.

I know God’s presence hasn’t left me. He has promised He will never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). He is the same yesterday today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Though I know this, I feel unable to perceive His presence. I’m like that little fish: where is this presence of God everyone is talking about?

Of course, recognizing there’s a problem is the first step in solving it, so once I realize I’m not experiencing the fullness of joy that comes with really being present with Him (Psalm 16:11), the next step is to readjust my thinking. I talk to God about my bouncing thoughts. I compel myself to focus by reading the Bible out loud instead of to myself. I make sure to take moments throughout the day to realign my thoughts with the Word of God. Sometimes I stick post-it notes with verses where I’ll be sure to see them.

When I’m trying to focus on God, distracting thoughts are almost certain to intrude. They may be good thoughts, useful thoughts, reminders of things I need to do, or even ideas for writing topics. But at the moment they’re distractions. Instead of worrying that I’ll forget them, I jot them down to take care of later and get right back to focusing on God.

How comforting to find myself once again swimming freely through my activities, enjoying each thing as I do it. I love the assurance that God’s goodness and mercy are following me (Psalm 23:6), and I am right where he wants me to be – “back in the water.”

Deer Encounter: A Colorado Adventure

July 11, 2017

I turned onto Highway 24, coming from Charis Bible College in Woodland Park, CO and heading west toward Dawn of Hope Ranch where I was staying. After four days of conferences, the route was familiar. As I left the evening session the moon shed little light on the road. I considered turning on the brights, but there was too much oncoming traffic.

The speed limit sign said 60, so I set the cruise control at 58 and was rolling along. I was challenged by the message at the conference and knew I needed to pray about it. I told God I needed to focus on driving right now but would process it with Him when I got to my room. I was thinking about His goodness when Bam! Something hit the right side of my car. Out of the corner of my eye I caught a brief glimpse of a deer sliding out of sight.

My first response was, ”Oh my gosh, I just hit a deer!” Then I asked, ”Lord, what should I do?”

”Keep going. Get back to the ranch.” That was a 12-mile drive, the last 5 miles of which were dirt roads I hadn’t been fond of even in the daylight with a 100% functional car, but I kept going. At the next stoplight, a streetlight revealed that the hood was pushed up a bit, and something slid off the car. I heard metal hit the pavement.

I continued toward the ranch, praising God, thanking Him I wasn’t hurt, and declaring scriptures such as ”The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.” Psalm 103:20 says, “Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His Word, heeding the voice of His Word,” and I am convinced that angels were responding to the voice of His Word as I spoke it forth.

I breathed a sigh of relief upon entering the driveway to the ranch. When I stopped the car, I heard pieces fall to the ground. I glanced at the damage before making my way into the building. “Hmmm – This is worse than I thought! Thank you, Lord, for getting me here safely.”

I made the necessary phone calls. Some of the other guests heard what had happened and gathered around to pray for me. Then I went to bed. The next morning I went out to take a picture of the car. I was amazed I’d been able to get all the way to the ranch. The headlight was completely gone. I had driven all that way with only the left headlight and the right fog light.

As the tow truck driver pulled the car onto the flatbed, pieces kept falling off. Shattered headlight glass along the side of the road marks the spot where the accident occurred. Colossians 1:17 says that God holds all things together. I know an angel was holding that car together for me.

I’ve been facing my upcoming move from Illinois to Arizona with a bit of trepidation. Although it’s very exciting, it’s a big step and a little scary. But all my fear and worry is gone now. If God can get a completely undriveable car to the ranch, He can get me to Arizona with all pieces intact. He can and He will.