When I tell you that God actually spoke to me, you might think I’m nuts. Most people would. But you know, God’s guidance comes in many forms.
Several years ago I was going through a terribly difficult divorce. I was not only losing my wife of 12 years, but also my 3-year-old daughter. I was devastated.
One particularly bad night, I was on my knees, begging God to take away the pain, when in my head, I clearly heard a calm, masculine voice say, “Get up, my son.”
Rising from the floor, I dusted myself off and sat to consider what had just happened. Was that the voice of God? If not, then whose was it? I was certain I had not imagined it. I reasoned God didn’t want me on my knees, but I knew there was more to the message.
As the years passed, those four little words stayed with me. I continued to search for their deeper meaning. “Get up, my son.” I determined that “get up” meant praying in a more positive fashion, but also having a higher consciousness: Get up from despair. Get up from perceived separation from God. Elevate my awareness that God delivered me to this life to live it joyously, not wracked with despair. My task was to seek God’s kingdom first and foremost.
One day I was driving aimlessly around the city, absorbed in prayer and introspection. Coming to a stoplight in a rather bad neighborhood, I noticed a vacant lot littered with refuse and full of weeds. Hanging from a weathered billboard, a faded paper sign flapped in the wind. Squinting to see the lettering, I read, “Pray. It Works.”
When the light changed, I had to pull over for a moment. I was struck by what I just saw. It felt as though the message was intended for me. It was not a coincidence. The sign wasn’t easy to read, and if the light had been green, I’d have breezed past it. Seeing the ministry behind that ragged message, I thanked God for whomever erected it. I prayed for all who read it. I felt connected to the group of folks whom the sign touched.
I believe God’s messages gently guide us on our journey and awaken in us what needs awakening. I keep these messages on sticky notes on my computer screen. Their meaning subtly changes with the twists and turns of my path, and they become more clear and relevant with each day.
Have you ever received a message from God? Did you doubt its source? Did you dismiss it, yet it wouldn’t leave you? I believe God sends us messages. It is for us to become, as Daily Word once suggested, spiritual detectives, ever alert for clues and communiqués from God. Don’t question whether it’s meant for you. Of course, it is. Otherwise you wouldn’t have noticed it. Get up, my friend!
Comments
Skip,
Thank you for such a powerful word. However, I must tell you something that I do not understand completely. I have been unstable in my career for almost a decade. Literally, I have worked thiis job or that job never to receive true satisfaction. Unfortunately, my family has suffered through this daunting process. Please tell me, what must I do give my family a good living and find that career satisfaction? How did you know to switch from advertising to real estate?
Seeking God's Will,
Timothy1
Thanks Timothy, for your kind comment. As horrid as it sounds, I believe you should consider learning how to appreciate the job you have. Otherwise, a 10-year history of dissatisfaction will forever repeat. Ask God to guide you to be in alignment with Him. It's what I did. I was guided to be a more loving, less negative person, to become a better employee, father, friend, to give of my time to help others less fortunate. I was guided to appreciate and love the good already in my life. I wrote a list of thank-you notes to God for every individual good in my life, one by one. It is 10 pages and counting. Have faith that the same God who made the cosmos will re-make your life. Write out the description of the ideal job, envision yourself daily working happily in that job and don't give up, ever, on your dream. I don't know how long it will take, just don't give your faith away.
This is probably not what you expected, Timothy, but take the advice of that billboard --- Pray. It Works. I'll pray for you.
Hi and good morning Skip, The Messages surround us, it is on your money, it is on the billboards. In whom do you trust ? Trust in God, the Holy Spirit that is within you, and whom is you. There is a Movie called 9, it's a nice movie about dolls,,, and they are the creation which came to life with the broken spirit of the creator being within them all, and it was all of them who made up the creator, and within each of them was He.
I believe your story truly.... I was also in a situation of what appeard to be destitute, I was married with 2 young children 8 and 6 boys, my wife wasn't working the bills were piling up, the CC's were becoming overbearing, and the mortgage was falling behind, and then "The KNOCK ON THE DOOR", it was the county sheriff (baliff) serving us with a Foreclosure notice, this was 8:00 in the evening, I also was out of work, trying to make ends meet. I accepted the notice of foreclosure, I was 3-months behind. I walked into the bedroom filled with despair, and I picked up the phone, and called my physical father, my dad, and he answered, and I said "Dad, I was just served with a Foreclosure notice,,, He said "Billy, you are talking to the wrong guy, You Need to Get with GOD, and you need to do it now, go find a quiet place and Talk with YOUR FATHER in Heaven. I felt a bit of abandonment by the instant severence of his willingness to help me, but ohh how he had helped me more than I can ever express,,, I walked out in the back yard,,, crying suttly so the kids didn't see, and I sat down and started praying on the back steps,,,,it was a star filled night, and as I was praying, as you did, I heard the voice of God, and He Said "CALL YOUR BROTHER ROBERT", I didn't question this, I walked inside and I called him, and he said to me, "What is wrong with you, why would you allow Pride to stop you from asking for help, you have always been there when asked for help, I just sold my company for a 1/4 Million dollars,,, if you need money just tell me what you need and I will give it to you in the morning,, I Met him the following day, at Barnett Bank and he Took care of the Three months mtg payments, plus an additional month to catch up and gave me CASH for food and bills....... GOD Talks to us CONSTANTLY,,, the Question I have, Do we Honestly Listen to Him, and are we loving enough to hear him, thank you for sharing, and may God Bless you, My Father Joseph Snyder was a memeber of Unity here in Miami, and in MO., he guieded me to the DAILY WORD when I was in my teens, after my parents had divorced when I was 14, he would send these,,, Today I am VERY GREATFUL for the messages God Sends, and all of the Goodness that is present. William Snyder (cp001@aol.com)
Thank you for that wonderful story Bill. It confirms everything I believe. We both did the same thing when we were spoken to -- we didn't question, and did what He said. Thanks again Bill!
Enjoy Skip: And Have a Wonder-Filled Day, Bill Snyder
Listen for the Whisper
Can you Read the Signs
They are all over the Place
On Cardboard and Placards
They slap you in the face
Can you hear the Messages?
Can you hear them Cry Out
You Ignored their Whispers
So now they must shout
They Speak of Peace
The World as a Better Place
They do it Daily
But don’t leave a Trace
It Seems Man is Deaf
That he truly can’t hear
Living their Life Afraid
Yes Always In Fear
They Forget about God
That he’s Always Here
In the Palms of His Hands
He Holds Us All Dear
This Universe is His
You’ll always find Him Near
He’ll show the Signs
That Wipe Away your Tear
You Truly Must Listen
For it is God You Hear
Can you Read the Signs
The Signs are everyplace
On Every Human Being
On Every Living Face
Can you hear this Message?
Can you hear it Crying Out
You’ll have to listen for the Whisper
For God Never has to shout
For He is With Us Always
Of this there is no Doubt
William D Snyder
Copyright 10/5/2011
Wow. What a beautiful anthem Bill, thank you !!
Skip,
I think you are on to something. God uses what He sees fit to use to reach us. For some reason whenever I am going thru a trial or new adventure in life He will send someone else going thru it to me...on TV. I know it sounds weird or maybe you think I watch too much TV but it is always on point. I thought it was a coincidence at first but there must be something to it. I had a job that moved me to Texas temporarily and then a couple on a show I watch gets uprooted to Texas and have to adjust, I enter a scholarship pageant, someone on a show enters one and has the same fears as me.
But what if you are open, praying and listening for guidance and its hard to hear as closely as youd like tobc your current living situation is so volitile and depressing? I feel led to move out of the state but do not have the funds right now. I am hoping and planning for a breakthrough but for the last year? Nothing. It's painful to hear and see others doing what God has put on their heart to do sometimes. I guess I should just keep waiting. Timing is everything right? Thank you for your story.
-Amber
Dear Amber,
I certainly don't have all the answers LOL but there is one thing I feel sure of: when it's God's will and you're open to His messages, things work out with almost no effort on your part. I've seen it time and time again. I'll struggle with my own will, wanting what I want, what "makes sense" and nothing seems to be happening. It's then I have to remember that I only see a small part of the picture. God sees the whole landscape and He wants what's best for me and knows exactly what that is!
So my job is to bring Him my requests in faith and then to listen closely and allow myself to be led. Believe me, this isn't easy! But I can tell you with absolute certainty that every time I have let go and let God, things have worked out for my highest good and even better than I could have hoped. It doesn't always happen according to my timeline, but it happens as and when God wills it.
Many times, God keeps us in a certain place (figuratively or literally) because we're not ready for the good He is waiting to do in our lives. Maybe there is something we need to overcome, or maybe He's trying to nudge us into trusting and relying on Him more completely. So I guess what I'm saying is, bloom where you're planted. Have joy each and every day, exactly where you are, while you're waiting for God to reveal His will for your life. God bless :)
Dear iluv4dogs, just a note to say I have only now read your reply to Amber's comment to Skip, posted on October 31 2012, and have found your words very reassuring. Your response is obviously written from experience and it is so clear and confident. I am finding this very helpful at present because I have been doubting that I am living in the right place for me, and am still feeling grief at the passing of my darling mother last July.
Your words are full of faith, and I hope all goes well for you.
Blessings and peace