It happened again. My cell phone rang and when I saw the number and name, well honestly I had mixed feelings about answering it. At first I told myself that I would “ignore it and call them back when I wasn’t busy.” Then, well then that still small voice of the Holy Spirit told me to answer it. I did, and I’m so glad I answered.
The voice was very familiar and the conversation was actually fairly short. He didn’t need anything, he wasn’t critical of something I had or had not done, he wasn’t complaining about his church or the denomination. It was just like Proverbs 25:11, “A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings.”
When he shared words of life and encouragement I ended the brief conversation with, “I’m so glad you called today.” This story may prompt you even now to do the same for someone in your contact list. Short, encouraging and uplifting – perhaps you too will hear those same beautiful words.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 teaches that “there is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven.” Might I be so bold to say, including phone calls.
The truth is many of us live such busy lives that often we mistake a short phone call like this only to be a distraction. Or it’s somebody that is going to interrupt our “schedule” and we will have to endure the conversation. I’m sorry if I have given that impression to anyone that has attempted to call me and I was not available.
Oh but here’s the real stinger. I have been pondering my “phone calls” from God. Busy working and the Lord speaks His complete purpose and will into my life at that moment – and I was not listening, I was not available, I ignored the Holy Spirit prompting my response and obedience.
The terminology may not be correct but the theology is spot on! When God calls I should always be available. There should be no clearer and more recognizable voice than the voice of my Lord. I should always be listening, I should always be attentive, I should always be expecting the voice of God to call and speak His truth and way into my daily life. (John 10:27)
“Lord, I pray today that my eyes will always be attentive to your call, my ears to always welcome your voice and my heart to always remain pure that I may know your good and perfect will in my life.”
May it always be so, “Lord, I’m so glad you called!”
