Whose Voice do you Listen to?
“The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him…”
Listen to God’s Voice.
If you have ever ridden the underground train station in London you’ve probably heard a voice over the hustle and bustle saying, “Mind the gap.” The message is important for a multitude of reasons. Firstly it is important because passengers do need to be careful and show caution about the space between the platform and the trains themselves. It can be life-threatening if someone were to trip or fall in the gap.
That message holds special significance for McCollum though. You see, her late husband Laurence, was actually the recorded voice saying the words, “Mind the gap.” After McCollum’s husband passed away she goes to the station just to hear his words over the speakers. They keep him close and the voice holds special significance for her.
Do you hold God’s voice in the same way? Does his voice hold special significance?
In today’s passage, you’ll note it starts with a voice that speaks a message,
“The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” - Genesis 12:1
Who was it that told Abram to leave his country? To leave the community he had been a part of? The household that he grew up in? The Lord had spoken to him. God had a plan and purpose for moving Abram to the next place. His voice had special significance for Abram.
God didn’t move Abram so that he would do the same old things in a new place. God moved him so that Abram would be living a new life in a new place. He desired to move him into something new. So God spoke to Abram and called him.
God Speaks.
God continues to speak just as he spoke to Abram. He speaks primarily through his word and by his spirit. This is why Scripture says,
“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” - Matthew 4:4
It also states,
“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
God has spoken to you through the Bible. He has revealed himself, his will, his ways, and his plans through the written word. While you may not get every answer to every question you have about life and the universe, you will find the one who holds every answer to every question.
Yet God does not just speak through his word but also by his Spirit. We know from scripture that those who repent of their sins, confess that Jesus is Lord, and believe God raised him from the dead are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches us and guides us in all truth and assurance. He is an advocate sent by Christ to edify us, challenge us, and lead us.
What happens when we listen to the voice of God?
Calling or Comfort.
God wants to call you to more. You were created for more. He has a plan and purpose for you that far outstrips anything you could come up with on your own. His calling for you is greater and more fulfilling than you can imagine. As it is written,
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” - Psalm 84:10
It is better to live one life in the calling of God than a thousand lifetimes without him. As my friend recently said to me, “Comfort zones crush dreams.” We need to leave comfort behind. God’s calling is rarely comfortable for those who hear it. Oftentimes the calling God has for us is something nerve-wracking, intimidating, and something we could not do on our own. The good news is God did not intend for you to do it on your own. He will do it with you. Trust him to take the lead and do not lean on your own understanding.
Acknowledge him in every aspect of your life. Answering the call of God may not look like a change of place or even a change of circumstance. Answering God’s call for you may be a change in attitude. It may be a surrendering of your plans. It may be a letting go of what’s familiar to take hold of what’s unfamiliar.
As long as it is in alignment with what God has spoken through scripture, and is accompanied by the peace of the Holy Spirit—I encourage you—step into the calling that God has spoken over you. Never choose comfort over calling. Listen to his voice.
