Are You There God, It’s Me, Kris

Yes, I read the book, Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret. I’m probably showing my age, but at least I read it in the 5th grade and it’s a classic. I really don’t remember much about the book, (sorry Judy Blume) but I loved the title and sometimes, I do wonder where God is and when He’s going to show up in my latest crisis.

Last week, I wrote about unplugging from the world and plugging into God. But what happens if what we hear or what we thought we heard from God is wrong or didn’t turn out the way we thought it would? Hearing God’s still small voice in our heart is not an exact science. Oh, how I wish it was. What happens when we think we have heard from God and instead it goes in the opposite direction of what we thought we heard?

For me, it meant questioning everything I thought God was leading me to do this past week and the past few months. I struggle with wondering if I’m obeying God’s command. I don’t know if what I’m doing is really obeying or if I’m hearing His voice, but God knows my struggle. He knows I’m looking to please Him and trust in Him where I think He’s leading. Even if I don’t understand the outcome, but I’m stepping out in faith and I believe God honors this obedience.

Recently, I stepped out in faith, based on what I thought was God’s nudging. It didn’t turn out the way I thought it was going to and it threw me into a tailspin about if I was truly hearing from God. Did I need to do better with my quiet time with God? Study His Word more? Or was this an instance where God was going to use this to draw me closer to Him and His will for me through a disappointing outcome?

We are told in the Bible, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10 NIV. I believe God asks us to follow him in obedience in the little things, so He can begin blessing us with the bigger things.

As I watch my children grow and mature, I give them more responsibility around the house. If the task I’ve given them turns into a disaster, it’s my job as a loving parent to stifle my tendency to freak out and gently correct them to do better next time or take a step back and start with smaller things again. The beauty of God is He doesn’t have to stifle a freak out moment because He has it under control. However, He wants us to grow closer and more dependent on Him.

Similar to how I see if my kids are ready to take on more, God does the same thing with us. Is there something God is calling you to step out and do? Share it in the comments below so I can pray for you!