Why can't I hear God's voice? [cont'd]

I was scheduled to do a radio interview with Ron Brown, assistant football coach at Nebraska, for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  We were going to do a quick 10 minute interview on what it looks like to be an r12 coach and r12 student athlete.  As we started to record, I asked Ron if he could hear me because all I could hear was lots of static and about every third word.  Needless to say, we had to reschedule until we could solve the static problem.

 

ROADBLOCK #3 – “Static on the Line”

The same is true with Jesus.  He wants to speak clearly and powerfully to us, but sometimes there are a lot of other voices (static) that bombard our mind and make it hard to make out what He is really saying.  Many of those voices are well intended and are planted deeply in our subconscious mind which magnifies the problem.

Sometimes family expectations (spoken and/or unspoken) can be so deeply rooted in our thinking that we assume it is God’s voice, or feel overwhelmingly guilty when we sense God speaking to us about a direction that might disappoint those we love. 

My son, Jason, wrestled with this in pursuing his dream to play and write music.  Although I never said, “All my kids need to go to college,” he felt that pressure because it was an unspoken expectation I had clearly communicated.  Both my parents were teachers and education was a very high value to them and it was passed on to me. 

When he told me he wanted to drop out of college for a while to really pursue his dream, I was initially less than supportive.  Then, he began quoting familiar phrases about “Dreaming Great Dreams” and “Taking Great Risks,” and “Making Great Sacrifices” – all from my sermons.  I realized within a few days that God had an Ephesians 2:10 plan for Jason that may or may not require college to fulfill.  I warned him of the realities of “making a living” etc., etc., but let him know I would really support what he believed God wanted him to do. 

To make a long story short, it was a very painful road and Jason would not give up.  The result: he has been named the “Contemporary Christian Songwriter of the Year” for the past three years in a row; loves what he does; and impacts millions with lyrics and music that magnify Jesus Christ.  He did finish school along the way (while rarely attending class) but his success was born of his courage to God’s call and he pursued it even when his Dad (me) thought he was crazy.

We need to honor our parents, mentors, and significant people in our lives.  We need to take their counsel and weigh it seriously; but we cannot let others’ expectations and even genuine concern for us deafen us from hearing God’s voice and stepping out to obey Him. 

Another static inducer is the culture that we live in.  Our culture tells me that power, position, prestige, and wealth are what make me a “somebody;” so some vocations just don’t make the cut.  We have elevated so called “white collar” jobs over working with our hands, while other jobs/careers are simply cast in a negative light, i.e., “If you are ever going to make something of yourself.”

For me that was going into vocational ministry.  I loved to teach God’s word, I loved coaching and helping people, but the idea of becoming a “minister” or “ pastor” was not at the top of my list.  My church experience and view of ministers was so negative I could not hear God speaking to me.  I fought the idea; I didn’t want to become “one of them.”  My warped view of people in ministry as those who can’t get a real job or those who argue about the color of carpet in the church were invisible and untrue voices that kept me from viewing God’s call as high and holy.

There are no “A” callings or “C” callings in God’s Kingdom.  You were made to do something unique and special and have been prepared and gifted by God to do that thing.  When you discover it and do it you fulfill God’s plan and experience joy in serving and provide supernatural results.  Oh, that we could believe as Francis Schaeffer said, “There are no little people and no little places.”  That means your place, your call, and your role matters for all eternity.

Find it!  Enjoy it!  Pursue it!  You are one of a kind!

Keep Pressin’ Ahead,

Chip

Comments

[Jason Jacobs]

Hope you get to talk with Ron Brown. I am a Nebraska football fan and am so thankful to have Coach Brown on the staff of my favorite team. He has led players to Christ and has only been there a little over one full year. He also happens to be one of the most physical tight end coaches in the nation. He teaches physicality and selflessness which is much needed for teaching a position that spends most of the time blocking for others!

[Lowell Oldenburg]

Dear Chip, i have been asking God to humble me and be d broken before Him and be humble before Him. To be conformed to Jesus and have the power of the Holy Spirit. To help bring more people to Jesus. Which of your messages would help me the most to be conformed to Jesus?
Thank you sincerely.

[Tom Lennon]

Chip, Thank You for your free resource in January "How To Land The Job of Your Dreams." I watched it many times by myself and with friends and am encouraged every time . I am in the process of praying diligently about which direction to go with several passions. While I am not sure which way to go quite yet I am confident God is going to do something different. I know if nothing else He's doing something in me. Thanks again for the resource and your continued ministry. I hope to see you in Chicago.

Tom L.

[Gary]

Dear Chip,

I just finished "How to Land the Job of Your Dreams" and it stirred me. As you were discussing your calling and passion on the DVD it felt like you were reciting mine. You have challenged me to abide in my faith and get uncomfortable. Please pray that I will have the courage to open myself to God and hear His calling.

[Heidi from Tucson Az.]

Chip,
The Lord used you to minister to my prayer of understanding why I'm having difficulty hearing the Lord. I've been praying and struggling with a significant life change and needing to hear from the Lord. Your message gave me insight as to why I was having trouble. Praise God and Bless You for your ministry.