What is it about being hot, tired, and emotionally drained that allows us to hear from God? It’s not like you could market the process in a book – Seven Steps to Hearing From God; Step 1, Don’t Sleep Right; Step 2, Don’t Eat Right; Step 3, Continually Change Your Circumstances; Step 4, Be Frustrated and Challenged Beyond Your Abilities; etc… No, you may not find this in a book, but there is definitely something about being brought to the end of yourself which brings clarity to the plans of God. More on this later.
Today (Tuesday) was the third day on the Tohono O’Odham Indian Reservation in southern Arizona with our youth group. We had an incredible day and God used our youth to bring twelve children to faith in Jesus Christ. It’s always difficult to know the level of understanding or the sincerity of the belief, but these twelve children were clearly presented the gospel message and indicated they wanted to place their trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sin. All we can do now is trust God for their salvation and do our best to follow up through the rest of the week.
The real blessing of this story is that God used many different individuals in our youth group to lead these children to Christ. This was not a response to one message but individual responses to many different conversations. This means that God moved on the hearts of our youth to give them the desire to share the gospel; He gave them the words to share to properly communicate; and He gave them the boldness to step out and take the initiative when the opportunity was presented. The long term potential of all God did today is staggering.
Back to the clarity of God’s plans and being tired. Did I mention that it’s now two in the morning and I will wake up in four hours ready for another day of ministry? I’m tempted to stop here but I really want to share something of how God gave me direction during my quiet time today.
The fourth chapter of James begins with reasons why quarrels take place; “Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1). The chapter continues with an explanation of why these desires are wrong and harmful; “Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?” (James 4:4). This explanation if then used to establish the need for the grace of God…and for humility.
James 4:5-6
“The spirit He caused to live in us envies intensely. But He gives us much more grace. That is why Scripture says: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
In this passage God showed me a great motivation to rid my life of pride. Do I really want to be opposed by God? That would indeed be foolish. Pride is set in opposition to humility – pride could even be defined by the lack of humility. So the best way to rid oneself of pride is to focus on that which makes us humble. And the best way to be brought to a posture of humility is to spend time in the presence of God where we are forced to realize who we truly are, and who we are not. I have nothing which God did not provide – and all I have is so very small compared to the majesty of God. How can I possibly be proud in the presence of God?
So what part of God’s plan was clarified? Remain in His presence and receive His grace. This is my report from the nation of Tohono O’Odham – Day 3.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
