Answer

Have you ever wished that God would just give you a direct answer about something?.... I know that I have, a lot.... However, I've found that it rarely happens that way.

Rarely. . .

That's the key word... There are times though when God is very quick and evident in His answers.

I started taking a class this semester called "Perspectives On The World Christian Movement" It's an awesome class and I've learned so much already! This past week they started the class by asking us to write down some of the things that had challenged us during the previous sessions. There had been a multitude of topics that had challenged me, but for some reason the only thing that came to mind was a lingering question, "How do I keep this passion for God and missions? How can I escape the apathy that so easily gets to me?" The topic for the night was the historical perspective on missions and revivals. It was really interesting, and the speaker ended his presentation with this statement, "Maybe you're thinking to yourself 'How can I keep this passion about missions?' All you need to do is pray into it. Pray that God will keep that passion in you."... It was like the speaker was talking directly to me! It's a simple concept- prayer, but it's something I so easily look over or forget. I was amazed at how quickly and directly God answered that question.

Later in the week I decided to go to the park and take some time to pray, journal, and read. Even though the weather was amazing and God has been blessing me so much, I felt down for some reason. I'm still realizing how God has changed me since South Africa, and a lot of times I find it hard to connect with people. I feel like I just don't quite fit in, or that I don't belong somehow. I wrote all this down in my journal.... Later that evening I went to Chi Alpha and God would give me a direct answer again. One of the songs we sang had these lyrics, "I've finally found where I belong, I've finally found where I belong--in Your presence. I've finally found where I belong, just to be with You, just to be with You" Again, it was as if that song was just for me!... The next day I found out that when the worship team was preparing what songs to sing for Chi Alpha, that song literally fell out of the book when one of them picked it up. Also, another member of the team had a strong feeling that they needed to sing that song this week!

Rarely.

Like I said at first, God rarely speaks so directly to us. . . . Or does He?

I've been wondering: is it that God rarely speaks to us to directly, or is it that we rarely listen?

Had I not taken the time to write down what had challenged me in Perspectives class, the statement at the end of the presentation probably wouldn't have caught my attention so much. And if I hadn't taken the time to sit and reflect that afternoon before Chi Alpha, that song about belonging would have just been another nice song we sing.

I'd venture to say that God is speaking to us so much more than we realize... We simply need to take the time to listen.


I have this excitement in my heart, I can see God working all around me! It's so amazing! I see my friends growing spiritually, I see Chi Alpha in a much better place than it has been the past few years, and I can see God getting me and the Elliotts ready to go to Wales!

I also see a lot of pain, a lot of lost people, a lot of hurting families, a lot of children not being loved ... I see a lot of blessed Christians as well, but they aren't sharing that blessing with those around them.

This is what I want to leave you with:

1. Take the time to listen to what God is saying to you. He is speaking to you. Sometimes it is more obvious than others, but He always has something to tell you!

2. Share your blessing. God doesn't bless us so we can hoard it, He blesses us so we can bless others and give Him the glory for it.


Listen.

Bless.