Walking with God

I went and saw John Eldredge speak this week on the topic of walking with God. I had read a few of his books, my favorite being "Waking the Dead". I was excited about hearing him and learning how to better walk with the Lord. I was not disappointed.

John is as eloquent and entertaining in person as he is in his books. His down to earth, practical style is appealing to the ear and his beliefs are sound and biblical. He talked about learning to hear God speak and getting quiet enough to do so in the chaotic world we live in. We practiced learning to listen and hearing God's voice a few times at the lecture but I only heard myself say, "I love you, I love you". I have heard God speak to me a few times over the years and I do believe that he still speaks to us and desires to lead us but that night He didn't speak to me. Armed with his new book in hand, the evening ended much too soon for me.

Today as I was reading "Slowing Down to Listen" out of John's new book "Walking with God" I decided to give it a try by asking God a simple question. I prayed, "Lord, Do you want me to clean the basement or continue to read". I followed John's suggestion of trying on each question and see if I got any negative feelings or heard the Lord's voice directly on which option to do. I heard nothing. So I tried again, "Lord, do you want me to clean the basement then?" Pause. Nothing. "Lord, do you want me to read then?" Pause. Nothing. Tried again. Nothing. Tried again. Nothing but silence on each question. So I said, "Lord I'll just read until you tell me what you want me to do". And then it came. "Marie, call Marie". Oh dear, that wasn't the question and I didn't want to call Marie. Again, "Marie, call Marie". You see I've been thinking of Marie for quite a while and knowing I need to call but just not following through. Her husband was an ex-patient of mine at Hospice who I befriended when he was transferred to another facility. I had traveled to see him for over a year at that facility until he died. He had lung cancer and Marie also has cancer. John had asked me to watch over her before he died. Something I have failed to do. But today the Lord told me what I needed to do. I called Marie.

He still speaks. He doesn't always say what we want to hear. But He still speaks.