God speaks, you know. And not only through His Word. If the Bible alone was the only way He chose to communicate . . . well, what a fine mess we’d be in, huh, Ollie?
Prayer. Two-way communication. The question is really: Are you listening? For His voice?
If nothing is too big for God, then the reverse is true also. Since He tells us that whatever we do, whether in word or deed, do it all for His glory, then that includes a lot of stuff we would consider small and insignificant. Think of the smallest bacteria, insect, animal—intricate or simple, still created by a hugely complex Creator, the One who has made the way to redemption so simple a young child can grasp it. The One who came as the man Jesus Christ, born to a woman, lived among his creation to show the way to what humanity needed to conquer the grave.
So . . . when God speaks, what do you do? More specifically, when He speaks to you, what do you do? The Holy Spirit knows your name. He knows how to talk to you. If you’re a King James fanatic, maybe you have to hear Him with thees and thous. However you will understand, that is the language He will use.
Sometimes we don’t want to hear what He has to say. We don’t ever want to admit that, of course, but it can be true. My favorite thing to ignore is: “Wait.” Ooohhhh, do I ever not want to hear that. I can’t count as high as the many times I’ve heard that instruction. However, always looking back I discover how critical the waiting time was, how necessary, and how right. The Lord knows what I cannot see, imagine, or proclaim with any understanding. He is omniscient.
I believe that Christian writers need to listen foremost and above all to the One who is, who was, and who always will be. We will leave this earth and move on to eternity with generations to follow for however long our God lingers in His end times. We have a particular number of days allotted to us to complete His plan for us. That’s why we’re here, isn’t it? If not, why does He bother with plans for us?
Writing is a powerful medium. Millions of people read writing of all kinds. Those of us who are called to write fiction will be assigned an audience by our Lord. It is our job to fulfill His plan for our stories, those tales He implants in our hearts, trusting us to use the talent He’s provided with an ever increasing desire to perfect our work and present our best efforts for His pleasure and purpose. And since He knows the individuals who will read our writings, and whether or not those individuals will multiply into great numbers, He will speak the story into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who will desire to point that audience to His Son Jesus Christ. Somehow. Some way. Let us never forget what our objective is as Christians—if we’re writers, parents, laborers, white collar business people, or in the sunset of our years. We must share Jesus as “the Way, the Truth, the Life”. Subtly, cleverly, flamboyantly, dramatically, or infused with humor, the message remains the same. And so does the purpose. Every talent and gift given to man by the Creator of the universe is to be used for His glory, for His pleasure, for His purpose.
We will not reach the lost or strengthen the church any other way. There is no substitute for the mandate of God. No reasonable alternative. No “new” flashy approach. Just God-given talent dedicated to Him and used for Him can accomplish His purpose in our work—however He decides to use it.
So, what do you do when God speaks . . . to you?
Father, let me hear your voice repeatedly, often, whenever you speak to me. I want to always hear your voice. Teach me to listen always. Help me then to obey. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Strengthen me in you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.