God’s Voice
In most relationships, formality tends to erode as familiarity grows. Recently, I called to pre-certify a hospital stay with our insurance company. The agent asked me for my doctor’s name, I replied, “Dr. Pinon.” “And what is his first name?” I didn’t know. Why would I know? We’re not exactly on a first name basis. He’s never been to my home, and I’ve never been to his. Our relationship is very formal, it is a doctor-patient relationship with defined boundaries. Out of respect, I always use his title when I talk to him.
At Sul Ross University, students call my brother Dr. Wilson. He is an associate professor of Early Childhood development and a well-respected expert in his field. He travels all over South Texas leading seminars for Public School teachers. I never call him by his title. To me, he is Tim. He is my brother, not my professor.
A few weeks ago, a room full of people called me Jimmy. No one ever calls me that anymore. To people in the Church, I’m Pastor Jim. To those outside the Church, I’m Dr. Wilson. Friends and family call me Jim, but no one ever calls me Jimmy anymore. Where was I? I was at my 20th High School Reunion. Those in the room remember me as an awkward teenager developing my identity. During that journey from childhood to adulthood, they called me Jimmy—to them, I’ll always be that boy.
There is one relationship where formality and familiarity blend. The more we pray to “Our Father who art in Heaven,” the more familiar we become with His voice. There is an awesome sense of the holiness of God that accompanies our prayers. We know we are approaching the creator God with our petitions. Yet the more we pray, the easier it is for us to distinguish His voice from other silent impulses.
What does the voice of God sound like? It sounds exactly like what it did the last time you spoke to Him.
Jim L. Wilson, Fresh Start Devotionals (Fresno, CA: Willow City Press, 2009).
Statement of Confession: I believe in the Trinity--Father, Son and Holy Spirit; The Three are One in the Father. I believe that Jesus is the Savior to those that accept Him in genuine repentance of their sins through faith as their Lord and Savior. I believe that baptism--immersion, burial--is an outward show to the world of their acceptance of salvation by Jesus for His dying, resurrection and His sitting at the right hand of the Father in heaven. This ministry is FREE.
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