Get Your “But” Out of the Way

John 10:27

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

Recently, I met a new friend named Cyndi.  During our visit, we were talked about being obedient to the Holy Spirit’s voice and our reluctance at times to be obedient.  Cyndi shared one such instance with me.

Her assignment that day was to get balloons for a birthday celebration at work.  As she was leaving the office to run the errand, she saw an ambulance across the street.  In her heart, Cyndi felt as if the Holy Spirit told her to go pray with the person who was being placed in the ambulance.  Cyndi said, “But God, by the time I cross the road, he will be gone.”  Again, she felt the familiar, “Go pray for the person in that ambulance.”  She replied, “But God, the EMTs will not let me get close to the person.”  Again, that familiar voice said, “Go pray for the personal in that ambulance.”  Cyndi’s reply, “But God, he will think I’m crazy.”

At the third “but,” Cyndi said she realized she needed to get her “but” out of the way and do what God, through His Holy Spirit, was asking her to do.  So, she crossed the road and got to the ambulance just after they had loaded the person in the back.  She stepped up to the driver and told him she felt she was supposed to pray with the person who was in the back of the ambulance.  Much to her surprise, the EMT said she could.  She stepped up into the back of the ambulance and prayed with the man.  He was so happy that she had listened and obeyed the voice.

Although Cyndi did not know the outcome of her prayer, she did feel a great sense of peace because she had gotten her “but” out of the way and followed the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Do you need to get your “but” out of the way and go ahead and do what God is calling you to do?

Knowing God’s Voice

Cade’s Cove, TN

John 10:27

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

This morning I was thinking about the sound of my voice.  Many times over the years, people have said things about my speaking voice.  Things like, “I would know that voice anywhere.”  Or, “you have a very distinctive voice.”  Or, “your voice is very unique.“  And, recently, I was at a women’s conference and I was talking and laughing with several ladies.  From across the room, I heard someone say, “Is that Pat Zimmerly?”  I went over to see who had said it and found a very good friend of mine who is legally blind, but she knew my voice.  Why is that?

I used to work in the banking industry.  One of the first things you are taught in the banking industry is how to spot counterfeit money.  They teach you about counterfeit money by looking at real money.  You will only spot counterfeit when you know what the real money looks like.
That’s how it is with God’s voice.  In order to recognize it, you have to know what it sounds like.  And, the only way to know what His voice sounds like is to spend time with Him and hear His voice over and over daily.