How do you learn to hear and obey the voice of God? As I sat listening to the Blackabys—Henry, Richard, and Mike–discuss this question, I reviewed in my mind what the scriptures said on the subject. One verse about Jesus, the good shepherd, particularly stood out:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” (John 10:1-5 NLT)

“Follow him (Jesus) because they know his voice.” Hummmh.

With respect to hearing and obeying, I’ve often thought I’m too much like Moses. I hear the Voice, but I don’t always want to obey. I may prefer to question, procrastinate, argue, or just plain ignore.

Oh, to be more like Isaiah or Samuel or Mary who obeyed instantly!

When the conference session ended, I arose and headed to my room. As I started down the steps, though, I heard the Still Small Voice saying, “Go ask Henry Blackaby to pray with you.”

“Do what?” I asked. “Am I hearing you correctly?” To be honest, my first inclination was to walk away and dismiss the Voice.

Half way down the stairs, though, I told my companion that I would be on later and headed back to find Mr. Blackaby.  I found him sitting by the fireplace chatting with another person. As I approached him, he smiled a warm smile. We exchanged greetings, and then I boldly asked him to pray with me. I explained my prayer concern, and he prayed.

As I walked away, my steps were lighter. I felt an immense peace—first about the resolution of my prayer request but also about my obedience. Far too often, as I have already said, I am too inclined to dismiss the Lord’s direction or postpone acting until later. This time, I had acted quickly. I knew I had done the right thing. A sense of joy bubbled up inside me.

The next morning, I walked into the dining room and filled my breakfast plate at the buffet. Several seats were available—one with a group of people I had met while at the retreat, and others at an empty table. Again, the Still Small Voice seemed to be directing me, this time to the empty table. My companion Kaye and I sat down. Before long another woman asked if she could join us.

She introduced herself. (I’ll just call her Patty.) We made small talk, and I learned she had traveled several hundred miles to the conference.  Then quite unexpectedly she began to share her powerful testimony of becoming “Mommy” when she was not yet six years old. Her mother, an alcoholic, abandoned her and her two younger siblings. Though her father was still in the picture, she soon became the mother figure in the home. Life was very hard.

As an adult, Patty decided to see if she could find her mother whom she hadn’t seen in years. She finally found her–she was very ill. Through God’s grace, Patty was able to forgive her mother and share the Gospel with her. As a result of her witness, Mom accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior before she passed away.

As I sat listening, I heard the Still Small Voice prompting me to ask her if I could write her story. Immediately, as if I had slapped her, she burst into tears. I was surprised—even shocked—until she told me, “You are the answer to prayer. I have been wanting to write my story but never felt comfortable with the idea. I almost sat down at the other table but felt the Spirit prompting me to join you. I am amazed!”

We were both amazed! It seems we met by divine appointment. I still get goosebumps when I think about how the Lord brought us together—two women from different states—to meet in a distant city and share stories of the Lord’s miracles. I was dumbfounded as I headed for home.

Again, I had been obedient to the Still Small Voice and so had Patty. Today you are reading but a snippet of her story. Perhaps in the future her story will be told in a book—all thanks to our listening and obeying.

It makes me a little sad to think of the many blessings I may have missed because I did not obey quickly but drug my feet. Jesus said, “But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” (Matthew 7:26-27 NLT)

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a fool! He also said, “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” (John 14:21 NLT)

Want to hear the voice of God? Read the Word. Listen for the Holy Spirit’s still small voice. Obey.

What about you? Have you had a powerful experience as you learned to listen and obey? Has the Lord arranged a “chance” meeting that changed your life? I’d love to hear from you!

May you have a blessed Thanksgiving season!

P.S. I highly recommend Henry and Richard Blackaby’s book, “Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God.” It’s life transforming!