Be Ready To Hear Him Speak

God speaks through many vehicles to reach us where we are. He uses His word, His people, situations we’re in – whatever will get our attention. I’ve noticed that He very often speaks to me through music. Music and timing.

After getting through the probably-was-a-nervous-breakdown at the beginning of 2010, I hauled myself out of bed, had some important conversations with key people in my life about what my job should and should not be, and turned in my resignation on a Sunday night. I started to feel right then, that this was the direction that God was pointing me, because no one was supposed to be around on a Sunday night. My plan was to slip the letter under my boss’ door and wait for her call on Monday. As it turns out, a member of the cleaning staff was just about to tackle her office, and when I explained what I wanted to do, kindly let me in (while she stood and watched) and then let me go on my way.

That Monday, as I drove into work, three songs played back to back on the radio, and as I heard them, a feeling came over me that has only happened a few times in my life, and I knew that this was God putting His stamp of approval on this decision. I know some people will roll their eyes and call it coincidence or something else. Or maybe they’ll just roll their eyes and call me crazy. I’m okay with that.

What I do know, is that This is Your Life by Switchfoot + Dive by Steven Curtis Chapman + In the Hands of God by the Newsboys = my confirmation to move ahead.

From This is Your Life
Yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead
Yesterday is a promise that you've broken
Don't close your eyes, don't close your eyes
This is your life and today is all you've got now
Yeah, and today is all you'll ever have
Don't close your eyes

This is your life, are you who you want to be?
This is your life, are you who you want to be?
This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be?
When the world was younger and you had everything to lose.

From Dive
I have been carried here to where the river flows, yeah
My heart is racing and my knees are weak
As I walk to the edge
I know there is no turning back
Once my feet have left the ledge
And in the rush I hear a voice
That's telling me it's time to take the leap of faith
So here I go

I'm diving in, I'm going deep, in over my head I want to be
Caught in the rush, tossed in the flow, in over my head I want to go
The river's deep, the river's wide, the river's water is alive
So sink or swim, I'm diving in (I'm diving in...)

From In the Hands of God
We have followed fragile dreams
But only One could take the measure of our goals
And we've stumbled over the trials of life
And we've wrestled the unseen
But only One can calm the storm inside our souls

In the hands of God we will fall
Rest for the restless, and the weary
Hope for the sinner
In the hands of God we stand tall
Hands that are mighty to deliver
Giving us freedom

I didn’t know that day that I was getting ready to enter the desert. I didn’t know that it would be three years of trials and learning before I walked out the other side. But I did know that no matter what happened, God had me in His hands and it would be well.

God may not use music to speak to you. He may pull out passages from His word or from a favorite devotional. Friends may pass quotes and verses along to you at just the right moment. You might hear a sermon or speech that meets your need where you’re at. It may even be an action that conveys the message. However it happens, be open and ready to hear what He has to say. He is with you and He cares about your trouble, your heartache, and your hurting. And He has something He wants to say about it.

A fan favorite version of This Is Your Life by Switchfoot

Tomorrow: Bouncing Back – This is Normal. There is No Normal

I'd love to connect with you some more - stop on by the Three Bees Facebook Page or connect with me on Twitter @3BeesBlueBonnet. During the 31 Days Challenge, I'll be using the hashtags #desertjourney and #inspirationalandfaith80 if you'd like to join in or follow along. Let's continue the conversation!