With the windows rolled down I stopped at an intersection. The magnificent sweet smell of freshly mown hay filled the car. As I waited for a lull in the traffic so I could pull out I heard the lovely call of a cricket. I reached for my cell phone because that is my cell phone ring sound. Someone was calling. But there was no one there. It was then that I realized there were real crickets in the grass by the stop sign.
I have often wondered how many people hear voices and think it is God. How often have schizophrenics responded with Samuel’s words, “Speak Lord, your servant hears”? How many major religions or denominations have been founded on such a premise? Through the years I have had friends who told me that God told them to do such and such. When I pressed them for specifics the answers were always vague. I don’t want to be a skeptic but how can one be so very sure? I had a pastor friend who announced to his congregation that God was calling him to another church. Of course it was a larger church. I have yet to hear a pastor say God is calling him to a smaller congregation. This particular pastor got to his new place and hated it. So he went back to his old church. What about the call?
I have people who tell me God placed a certain person in their life only to have the relationship sour. The Children of Israel used say God led them to war if they were successful. If they were not successful then God had not called them. I am digging a hole here for myself. I sound like I don’t believe God leads us. I do believe He does. I also believe God gave us brains with which to make wise decisions.
Written by Roger Bothwell on August 27, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
rogerbothwell.org