Stepping out in faith

If God called, would you hear him? If he asked you to do something radical, would you do it?
Two years ago, I wrote a book called "Listen: Finding God in the Story of Your Life." Since then, God has challenged me to listen to my life, for the purpose of knowing him better. I'm always inspired when I hear about other people who are listening to God, and following his calling.

I received an e-mail this week from Esther Hall, an acquaintance from Willow Creek. I say acquaintance because I know who she is, we have mutual friends, we've bumped into each other via various ministries at Willow over the last two decades. Although I don't know her very well, I've always admired her.

Esther has been serving God through a ministry called PathFinders International for many years. But now, God is calling her to do something radical. she's getting ready to move to Africa!
You can read more about it on her blog, which is at http://www.hadassahscall.blogspot.com/
She has moved out of her apartment, is getting rid of her stuff, and getting ready to go. She's had to simplify her life (another of my favorite themes), paring her stuff down enough that it will fit in a few suitcases. That in itself is a spiritual exercise--to let go of our stuff so that we are free to follow God.
God may not call you to go to Africa, but I do think he calls each of us to serve him somewhere--in our neighborhood, our church, our workplace. And he calls us to live simply.
I know just walking through Target yesterday, I was so tempted by all the holiday stuff. I don't need any of it. In fact, I think accumulating stuff will only weigh me down, keep me from hearing God. And I think God has been saying, rather than wasting money buying more holiday junk, what if you were to use those resources to support Esther? Or feed people who are hungry and live right in my neighborhood? I hope that you'll join me on the adventure of giving this holiday season. If you'd like to contribute to her support, you learn more about that on her blog, or send it to PathFinders International 60-B W. Terra Cotta Dr #205 Crystal Lake, IL 60014.

book review

My book Listen was reviewed on a great blog, Unfinished Work, today. Click over and read the review, then leave a comment.

Listening for God

When I get some good reader questions, I'll be answering them here.

Let's start with a question I received from a reader while I was leading a retreat. She writes, “In your book Listen you say we should let God call us to pray. We’ve been used to going to God when we’re ready. Explain more.”

Well, actually, what I wrote was: “When I feel a desire to pray, it is God’s spirit that stirs up that desire in the first place. Think about that: God initiates and seeks you out. … God cares enough about me to initiate conversation and relationship. I am the beloved. I am not just the seeker, I am the sought. I am the object of God’s affection. It’s a truth that demands a response.” (Listen: Finding God in the Story of Your Life )

Explain more? It’s really a matter of perspective. God, who knows all and continually searches the earth that he may strongly support those whose hearts are fully his (2 Chronicles 16:9) , can stir, like a gentle breeze, in our souls. When we think we’re about to “go to God when we’re ready,” it’s really that our souls are responding to divine whispers and stirrings.

We need not wait around for God to call. If we desire communication with God, we can trust that God put that desire in our hearts, and respond to it by saying, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:10)

What is it that makes you want to pray? What do you think of the idea that your desire for prayer is actually initiated by the object of those prayers?
Leave your comments and questions, and I’ll pick one to respond to in a future post.

Keep listening!

Keri