How Many Times Do I Have To Call?
Café Menu for Wednesday, September 1, 2015
Today’s Special is: Obeying The Gentle Voice
Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Jill Rindfuss
Main Ingredient:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.
Isaiah 43:2 NIV
Entrée:
My kids are not morning kids. Actually, it’s a family trait as all of us would much rather order pizza at midnight than be up at dawn for pancakes. Even the dog has to be bribed from under the covers to join morning rituals.
The other day, my calls for them to get up reached a fevered pitch as my petitioning neared the hour mark. My frustration was evident when I yelled,
How many times do I have to call you?! It should not be this hard!!
And then the gentle voice of the Spirit broke through... don’t you love when He uses your own words...
Good question, Jill. How many times do I have to call YOU?
The difference between my voice and His was staggering. It stopped me mid-rant, as I was forced to consider His question. The truth was that He had called me numerous times... for months, maybe years in some areas. Each time, always using His patient, gentle voice... never ranting... never fevered… just waiting for a response.
Jesus is a Gentleman. Always gentle. Never impatient. He will not force us to move any more than I can force my teenagers out of bed. The question is not in HOW He calls us... should He be louder, more forceful, more urgent? The question is… when will we acknowledge the gentle voice as His and respond to the call to move?
Take Out:
What is God calling you to do?
Will you obey Him today?
Dessert:
Father, thank You for calling us by name. Thank You for a plan that is greater than anything we could plan for ourselves or could even imagine as possible. Forgive us for when we mistake Your gentleness for indifference to our obedience. Open our ears to hear and provide all that we need to say ‘yes!’ to You today!
© 2015 by Jill Rindfuss. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Tuesday, 01 September 2015.
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