Last year, Janna and I had the opportunity to put our house up for sale. The housing market in Calgary had gone nuts, and we both felt like God was asking us to sell and pay off our debt. At the time we had no idea that life would move us away from Calgary, so logic won out and we re-financed instead of selling. Months after our hearts were set on Comox and God was orchestrating things for our move. We were able to sell our house, but it took much longer than it would have months earlier, and we lost out on some potential cash in the good ‘ol pocket when it was all said and done.

This experience got me thinking about why we hesitate when God speaks. My life is a testimony to the fact that obedience is the only valid response when God is asking something of us. As a boy I watched my parents demonstrate this truth on numerous occasions, and I quickly began to live it out myself. Janna and I have had multiple experiences where God has asked us to “step out of the boat, and onto the water”, and every time He’s been faithful and the fruit of those decisions has made me who I am today. So… why the hesitation?

I’m attempting to read the Gospels from front to back in the next couple months (I’ll get into that in future entries I’m sure), and I’ve started with Matthew’s Gospel. I was deeply stuck by Joseph’s story the other day. Here’s a single Jewish guy who’s “virgin” girlfriend comes to him with news of her pregnancy, and he understandably makes plans to bow out of the relationship gracefully. That night God speaks to him in a dream:“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Mtth 1.20-21 Joseph’s obedience here boggles the mind! I mean, just stop for a second and ponder the reality of the situation. I can almost hear the counsel of his closest friends and family (as I’m sure it was close to the counsel I would give.) I’m going to guess that he ran into at least one person who explained away the dream and brought some ‘rational thought’ to this love sick young mans life.

I think there is a key to it all in the word’s of God to Joseph when He said “… do not be afraid.” To often when we think of God speaking, we are afraid. Afraid of where he may lead us, afraid of what he may say, or of what may be required of us. The fear is often compounded when we actually hear His voice, and find that His words are not safe, and his leading isn’t in sync with our plans or agendas. This fear is what causes much of our hesitation. Often the hesitation is filled with our human attempts at wisdom (pros and cons lists, the counsel of friends and family, the odd book on the subject at hand… etc.) The irony here lies in proverbs where it says that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.” Only God him self is to be feared. Everything else can be met without hesitation, and that is what I pray for. From life changing decisions to the everyday moments, I pray for faith to believe. I pray for obedience to follow without hesitation whenever Christ calls me, and to where ever He leads.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 8th, 2007 at 1:39 pm and is filed under musings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.