You Can't Learn to Swim While Drowning

 

If you see a person drowning it would NOT be the time to teach them to swim. Can you imagine yelling to this man “just let the water get on your face first, close your mouth, close your eyes so they don’t sting, try floating on your back, kick your feet, are you familiar with the dog paddle??”

Obviously none of these suggestions would be helpful to this drowning person. Why?

The same theory applies to our walk with God. Yeshua/Jesus tells us in the Bible:

”My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” 

 John 10:27 

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear his voice."

Hebrews 3:7

The first question I pose to you is, do you know God’s voice? 

If not, how can you follow Him if your not sure it’s Him speaking to you?

This may sound so elementary and not have much impact on you while you’re reading this jewel safely from your home or office, but what if you were “drowning?”

What if you were in a place in your walk that you HAD to know God was speaking to you and you HAD to know what He was saying!

It may be to late to ask your pastor or friends how to know His voice

If you call for a help line and I give you some scriptures to look up or send you a video teaching on the voice of God it will be as helpful to you as our swimming suggestions to the drowning man.

Like anything else in life you get better at it with practice. God usually starts small, He did with me. He may tell you to turn right instead of left, or talk to the person next to you.  He may later ask you to give money to a certain individual or offer to pray for someone when your not in a church setting.

There are multiple lessons.  First you have to believe He talks to you, then you have to be listening for Him. If God finds you faithful to the first part and obedient to the task He will begin to ask you things that will take a little more faith.

Example:

Years ago I knew the Lord was telling me to move to Tennessee. As you can imagine it was a big step for me moving alone to a state where I didn’t know anyone.  I had to know God’s voice and have faith is in His provision to take such a huge leap. I prayed for Him to give me a specific verse I could hold onto when I felt like I was drowning. He gave me

Isaiah 30:21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you , saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” when you turn to the right or when you  turn to the left.

I can’t tell you how many times that verse was like a life preserver being tossed to me.

I keep a framed picture of the verse in my living room to remind me of God's faithfulness during a very scary time. It's a stone alter that serves as a memorial that proves nothing is too difficult for my God. I do hear His voice and He gives me clear instructions on what to do next. Turn to the left or turn to the right.

My youngest daughter is having her first child this summer and there are some decisions she needs to make that will effect her and her sweet baby.  Each decision carries it's own uncertainty which also holds an element of fear. She and her husband will need to stay in an attitude of prayer so they can feel peace with the decision.

But if they don't know God's voice they won't know which way He is leading them. I'm thankful they have both been taking "hearing lessons" for quite some time and won't have to wait for the day of the birth to have to make a last minute decision that will impact three lives.

I hope this jewel encourages you to start your lessons before you find yourself in need of a life preserver.  You may drown when safety was just an answer away.