In Your Gizzard (part 2)
In my last blog, I wrote that when we experience a life-changing transformation by God in the person of Jesus Christ, God’s Holy Spirit speaks to us in the innermost part of our being. Dr. Sandra Brown once told me,“Listen to your gizzard. God will speak to you there.”It’s important that we understand the difference between God’s prompting and our own thoughts and desires, or even other outside voices and influences. The sad fact is that many people have made poor and even tragic choices because they were led not by God, but by their own deceived thinking or the flawed guidance of someone else.A vibrant and authentic relationship with God includes prayer, consistent time in His Word, and the choice to regularly connect and worship with other authentic Christ-followers. It’s also important that we continually yield our thought life to God, or as the Apostle Paul once stated,
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
When we live in this relational paradigm with God, we open the door for God to speak deeply to us in the big and little decisions that we encounter each day.Another component of this relationship is a word that isn’t in vogue in our culture these days: obedience.Jesus once said,
“If you love me, keep my commands.
John 14:15 NIV
When God calls, it’s important we listen…And obey.Several years ago I served as a part-time worship leader at a small church plant. One Sunday morning I led worship even as I felt under the weather. I went home thinking I would be able to chill out and rest that night. About an hour or so after I got home I received a call from another church. They were in desperate need of a musician for a special service that night and asked if I could come.In my head, there were many reasons to say “no”, especially my physical weakness and fatigue. But in my ‘gizzard’ I strongly sensed the Holy Spirit was asking me to go and serve. A Scripture verse even came to mind:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:8 NIV
After a quick prayer I knew this was a call from God, so I told the church I would be there. That night I helped lead worship and also played an original piano instrumental for the offering.
After the service had concluded a man came up to me. He introduced himself as Bob Williams and informed me he was the Director of International Ministries for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He asked if I would be willing to help lead worship at several conferences in Europe in a few weeks. That conversation opened the door to an amazing time of ministry that took me to many places in the world to serve God with some cherished colleagues and friends.I doubt I ever would have experienced all that had I said no to God’s voice that Sunday.I’m not saying that every “yes” to God’s prompts will lead to an international ministry. I do believe God can accomplish great things for His Kingdom when we exercise the faith He has given us and step out of our comfort zone to obey His prompting,I know this is true… deep down in my gizzard!Blessings to you!Chris