Do you think it’s harder for us, here in America, to hear the voice of God? Do you think, in all our busyness, in all our running from here to there, our chasing success and comfort, that we miss out on witnessing God move?
Sometimes I wonder.
Jesus came to earth and flipped the world on its head. The ultimate King, the Lord of Lords, the Creator of the Universe, all authority and dominion are his – yet he comes to earth as a man and washes the disciples’ feet. He saves a prostitute from stoning. He touches lepers. He ministers to the lowly. He uses the despised things of this world to glorify his name. Like an executioner’s cross to bring salvation to the world.
Then Paul adds to the confusion by saying, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” It makes no sense. Not in our world’s economy. How can I be strong when I’m weak?
This reminds me of Nairobi, Kenya. More specifically Kibera – the biggest slum in sub-Sahara Africa. I walked the streets of that place. The stench was unbearable. Imagine standing in the foulest of porta-potties. Imagine tin shacks crammed so tightly together they’re practically stacked on top of one another. Imagine streams of human excrement flowing past front doors, sometimes through houses.
I was there. A few years ago. Eager to offer encouragement and pray for these people who so obviously needed it. Only when I got there, I couldn’t think straight. We went into this woman’s home. A woman sick with HIV. A woman trying to raise six children in a tiny shack, three of whom were not her own, but her dead sister’s. I sat inside her home. Cramped. Hot. Uncomfortable. Craving America. Craving the comfort and peace of the familiar. And then something pretty unbelievable happened.
This woman started talking. Words poured out of her mouth. Words about Jesus, her redeemer and savior. She was positively glowing. I remember sitting there, tears streaming down my face, because this woman – this lowly woman – was encouraging me.
I think it’s so easy for us, here in America, to “do it on our own”. Who needs God when we have a roof over our head? Who needs God when we have jobs that pay the bills? Who needs God when we have cable, high-speed Internet, fast cars, recycling bins, comfortable beds, doctors, medicine, and plastic surgery?
God’s voice is so muted here. Not because He lacks power. But because we’re too busy and comfortable to stop and listen. But in Africa? In places like that woman’s filthy shack? God’s voice shouts. It shakes the walls with power and might. And I see with clarity His hand moving. Working miracles. Even now.
I think there is a special blessing for that woman living in Africa. She knew, with absolute assurance, that Jesus was enough. That He was all she needed. Of course she knew. Because Jesus was all she had.
In her weakness, God revealed His perfect strength. And all of a sudden, Paul’s words make sense.
Question to Ponder: Are you listening?
I love this post!
A humbling reminder how much we are blessed with in this country. It is so easy to stumble over the things that are meant to be blessings, letting our attitude create stumbling blocks out of stepping stones.
I guess I missed this post last week, but all I have to say is: Amen.
We're on a similar wave length this week, Katie. (I wrote about not seeing God's light because I'm not always looking for it.) His light shines brightest in the darkness, not because it is any stronger then but because that's when we need to depend on it more.
My brother-in-law lives in Taiwan. Years ago he ministered among mountain tribes and told of how, after a particularly strong typhoon destroyed a village, the people stood there in the mud and praised God for their lives, and then rebuilt their church before starting on their own homes. I wonder if our faith will ever mean that much to us when we live our days in relative safety and comfort.
I'm all for any posts about listening to God. We need to do more of it. That's why I decided to write about the spiritual retreat I took last week.
For me, it's all about slowing myself down and being quiet enough to hear.
Excellent reminder. There is no quiet anymore. Sometimes I miss the quiet.
And great new look on your blog!
What a great post, Katie!
I think you're so right to give this reminder…we need to listen. The message is there, but we're making ourselves too busy to hear it.
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Wow! This post makes me want to shout AMEN. What an amazing lady.
I agree with you, definitely. I hope I'm listening. I'm trying to 'cause I really want to walk the path God has for me, and not go my own way.
I hope you have a wonderful day, and thanks so much for your encouraging comment. I've thought of you in my situation and appreciate your insights. 🙂
I know what you mean. I spent six months in Africa and felt the power and heard the voice of the Lord more profoundly then I ever had. It's hard to put these kind of experiences into words, but you did a great job!
This was so profound. Thank you for writing her story, and your story. I cling to the words of this poor woman, "She knew that Jesus was enough." So often, we feel like we don't have enough; we don't do enough; we aren't good enough. But, her faith proves that Jesus IS enough.
(This was a God moment. I was looking at Elizabeth Craig's new thread format for comments and saw the title of your post, so came over to read it.)
Hi Katie –
Life is so delicate in many parts of the world. They're only hope is the Lord.
We've become so self-sufficient–until disaster strikes. We experienced that at 9/11. I experienced that when my husband was diagnosed with leukemia. Our lives can change in a split second.
Our only true Rock is the Lord.
Blessings,
Susan
Love your new layout!
I know that world you described so well. You took me home, even though I've never been to Kenya.
I feel like that's another part of spiritual warfare. In Africa it's more overt, but it's more subtle here (speaking generalities, of course). I mean, if we saw someone visibly demon-possessed walking down the street we'd realize it–for the most part–, but the American battling alcoholism, lost in an affair, or consumed with materialism? And in the Church, it's easy to get lost in busyness, comfort, and ministry and miss the most important part–our relationships with Him.
He attacks us in different ways, ways "appropriate" to the culture and time.
Thank you for this reminder to listen, Katie!
It is a beautiful post, Katie. Your heart-felt description of the woman with HIV, surrounding by children but little else, and praising Jesus, her saviour, brought tears to my eyes.
What a beautiful post for The Holy Week.
Oh, I am listening to the pain, suffering, and yet glory of the walk on the Via Dolorosa.
Patti
I rely on God more during bad times. He knows what he's doing!
A wonderful post–so different than what you usually write:) Loved it!
I find that during these hard times in my life with unemployment and all– I hear Him best. Not when everything was going so well.
Great post, as usual. You are such a blessing and an encouragement to me!
Also, love the new look for your blog 😉
Great blog makeover!
I do try to listen. Usually, I have to let the answers soak in before I decide to go along with it. Being molded…. :O)
Katie, my husband and I had a similar eye-opening experience when we went to what was then Czechoslovakia from our home in Germany right after the borders opened. We saw a town of over 10,000 with one grocery store the size of a 7-11 that had so little food in it they stacked the few cans two high on the shelves to hide the fact that there were none behind them. The vegetable bins were filled with limp carrots and potatoes with black spots. Sadly, the one thing there was plenty of was Pepsi. The westerners got that into the country with speed that would impress Nascar enthusiasts.
But the people were grateful. We stayed in the home of a Czech family because the Communist hotel was closed. By giving up their bed for us, they earned as much in one night as the wife did in a month at her job. My husband and the man of the family communicated in German. Gwynly heard tales of a people relishing their freedom from oppression. They rejoiced that they had vegetables.
That experience taught me to appreciate what I have. By American standards, Gwynly and I live in a small house. We drive old cars. But we're grateful. We know there are many in the world who would think our place a palace.
I often hear stories of those with little in terms of material possessions who have spiritual riches so deep and satisfying I marvel. I know I can get too wrapped up in my cushy life to remember those without. Thanks for this reminder to pray for them, that they can discover what really matters: a saving relationship with the Author of Life.
Katie, this is just beautiful!! Sad, but oh so beautiful in its meaning.
I try to take time each day just for God. That's what keeps Him at the top for me. You are so right, though, so many are so very busy that they don't allow time to be blessed with just one-on-one time with God. Wish I could His voice more often, but I am comforted by just talking to Him that's for sure.
What a beautiful post Katie! I'd love to hear more about your trip and the things you saw. Those images you painted are going to stay with me for a very long time. Funny you should mention that verse, I've been leaning HARD on it this past week. I hear the Lord speaking here. Thank you for being such a wonderful vessel for Him today!!!!
Thanks Katie for allowing the Lord to use you with this post. I confess to muzzling His voice far too many times.
It reminds me of the people of Israel at Mt. Horeb- comfortable, secure. When the voice of the Lord came and He said you've been resting here too long. That was not the promised land.
Somedays I think I've been resting here too long, this is not the promised land! I need to be following after the voice of God so I can make my way home.
Aaaah, Kenya. Was walking into work on Friday morning and smelt something burning in the distance. Totally felt like I was back there again. I miss it. Mostly, I miss the reminder of everything you just stated in your post.
Hugs and love.
H
P.S. Lovin the new look of your blog!
Great thoughts Katie! Awesome Post.
Absolutely true! This has been on my heart a lot lately. We forget how much we need Him because our culture tells us we can do it on our own.
Thank you for sharing this, Katie. Missioning in other places is life-changing if for no other reason but to see that God is enough for some people, and it's easy to take that for granted in our busy lives – our lives filled with luxury and clean streets and homes. We must stop our busy lives and listen and look around.
I talk with my children about this very thing from time to time. I want them to realize how blessed they are to have so much when there are those who have so little. It's easy when we have so much to become independent of our need for God, to think we can get by in our own strength. Thanks for sharing about your trip, Katie! Sounds like it was life-changing.
This is so true. When my husband was without call (meaning no pastorate) for a year and a half, I really learned what it meant to trust God. The funny thing was, I was sure I'd been trusting all along. A lot of that trust, though, rested in a steady paycheck, the security of a home, and regular meals. Very eye opening.
Oh, Katie. This is so true. But we've sure made a lovely mess of things, doing it "our" way, haven't we?
I love your voice. Poignant. Clear. Vibrant. You stir my heart to action.
I think you're not only spot on, but timely, too. We've gotten to the point where we can not only hear God, but we're replacing Him as our provider, protector, joy…
I once heard a woman say Christians are too B.U.S.Y. – Bound Under Satan's Yolk. I couldn't agree more. It's so easy to ignore the verse, "Be still and know that I am God," but He means it!
I do believe we are a spoiled nation 🙁 And I pray that people will begin to see how little our stuff matters and how much God matters.
Thanks for the reminder.
God has revealed Himself in such subtle and beautiful ways over the past few weeks. I look forward to sharing.
Love the look!
~ Wendy
WOW! GREAT reminder today, Katie. I totally agree! I think it is muffled by our own intellect as well. We try to *figure* God out, we put him in a box, label him, and many times define him by how WE want him to be, not how he really is.
So often I my hearing is muffled by the noise of my busy life. I wonder sometimes if it is a lack of faith on my part that I let life get me down. Goodness knows, life is certainly busy here on earth, especially in the culture we live in today.
Thanks for the reminder to let God be enough. I needed to hear that.