When the bricks fly

God whispers in your soul

This arrived in an email, and I had to chuckle.

“God whispers in your soul and speaks to your mind. Sometimes when you don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at you.”

Sometimes it does seem like that! I’ve had a few bricks lobbed my way.

Whether we feel we have a close relationship to God, or would like to, or are wondering whether that is possible, or even whether there is a God, sometimes it feels like circumstances smack us.

Whatever that event, it can be a “heads up!” – a kind of forceful invitation to listen through the hubbub of the day to another voice, another message, something more significant going on. A word or two from the Creator Him/Herself. An opportunity to turn discouragement around.

This comfort doesn’t come from the world. The world’s promises are fleeting. The other side of the world’s clamor a certain stillness speaks, a peace and clarity about what’s important in life.

And if we aren’t paying attention to what’s really important, we need to. And we need to want to.

The world’s great thinkers have come to the same conclusion over the centuries. Chirst Jesus, spokesperson for Christianity, says it this way, “Love one another.”

Love isn’t complicated, sophisticated, or accumulated. Love is complete, simple, and active. The love that springs from the Creator of the universe is dependable in a changeless way.

So when the world whacks us with injustice, or hate where we expected acceptance, listen up! Past the tumult there is a message of security, support, and progress. And often a new sense of direction.

The message that God loves us is what is worth listening to and pursuing. This hope can take us safely through injustice and hate. This promise brings us to the place of knowing good is supreme no matter what.

Closed doors? Don't be discouraged!

Nancy Fischer, tour host,
explains Paul's impact on
the Christian community in Philippi

Ever feel frustrated, because your project keeps being stymied? All the doors keep closing in front of you?

That happened to Paul. He and Silas had traveled to Lystra (a city located in modern Turkey), where they found Timothy – who became a faithful companion and trusted colleague. So far so good.

The trio traveled west. Just one problem. Luke (who wrote the account) says the Spirit blocked that route. By this time Paul was so committed to serving this God of Love, that when God closed one door, Paul simply said OK, and looked for a new direction.

This time they went north towards Bithynia – an ancient region of mountains and forests, bordering the Black Sea that included serveral large cities. Paul probably thought that must be where God wanted him to go.

However, Luke says, the Spirit didn’t let him go there either. Most likely Paul was trying to find the logic behind this message. And Troas, an important seaport, made sense as a new destination, so they headed west once again.

There in Troas, where they could travel by ship, he had a vision of a man in Macedonia calling Paul to come and help them. At last their direction was clear. They were to take their message beyond Troas – to Europe!

And that’s how they happened to come to Philippi – where, as you have read in previous blogs, they met a merchant named Lydia, a slave girl, and a jailer.

So I’ve been thinking, when a project seems important and doors keep closing it’s important to be clear whether, like Paul, I am totally committed to serving God and fulfilling His purpose. Or whether it’s a notion I cooked up because it seemed like a good idea at the time – without checking with the “Boss.”

Because if it’s indeed a God-initiated project, then He supports it and points the way for its completion. If it’s just a Sandi plan, well, it’s probably not going to be the lasting blessing it could be if it were God-centered.

Certainly we prefer the clarity of a message that says, "Go here," or "Go there." Yet here is Paul, 2000 years later, teaching yet another lesson – about not being discouraged when the message comes in the form of blocked paths -- "Don't go here" and "Don't go there." He didn't let anger, discouragement, or frustration keep him from going forward as best he understood how.

When we really want to serve God, infinite good, and are willing to (preferably promptly) change direction, He will show us the way.

By the way, for those who may be interested, this tour was hosted and led by http://www.biblicaltravels.com/