Growing up I would watch many horror films. It's not something I'm proud of and it's something that I have stopped doing since I became a believer. One of the themes of many horror films I watched would involve poltergeists making their presence felt even if they were invisible- moving objects or sometimes voices coming from thin air.
If you were like me before growing in Christ and you heard a voice out of thin air, it would probably scare you. What would happen to you if you hear God speak in an audible voice but you couldn't see Him? Would it scare you or would it relieve you?
One thing's for sure, the young boy Samuel in the Bible probably never watched horror films or listened to ghost stories. In 1 Samuel 3:3-4 it says: "The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, 'Here I am!'"
This happened three times and it was a confusing experience for both Eli, the boy's mentor, and Samuel. But when it had dawned upon the old mentor that it was probably God calling the young boy. After explaining this to the young prophet-to-be, the Bible tells us that Samuel "...went and lay down in his place." (verse 9)
A simple statement, but something profound just hit me when I read this phrase. It seemed to be that Samuel, because he simply went back to await the voice of God again, was expectant and even hopeful that God would speak again. He wasn't scared nor afraid. A funny thought, but once you think about it, it gives so much clarity.
If you heard God call you today- maybe in an audible voice or figuratively- how would you respond? Many times when God speaks, He often tells us some things that can and most likely will challenge you. Maybe God will speak a new calling in your life or even command you to do something radical. In times such as this, God's voice actually becomes something to be intimidated by instead of desired.
I remember when I first heard God speak to me calling me into full-time ministry, it scared me. I had at that point set up for myself a stable and successful business and was convinced that that was my calling. But God called me to lay it down at the altar and follow Him. I'm not saying God's calling you to full time vocational ministry, but maybe God is speaking to you today and it scares you.
Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Whatever God speaks to us or commands us to do is always for our best. It's not meant to destroy our reputations, harm us or to ruin us but always for our welfare.
The word welfare actually refers to a complete and pleasurable well being. That's what God wants for you. Sure God's voice can call us into something intimidating at times, but God makes all things work together for our good if we put our faith in Him. God's voice is not something we should fear, but something we should delight in and trust.
