When God Knocks
On my home’s front door there’s a “No Solicitation” sign. I don’t care what anyone’s selling, don’t come knocking. If I need something I’ll go get it myself. Otherwise, bug-off.
Some people have the same sign tattooed on their souls. So, when God knocks, the immediate response is, “Bug-off – not interested -- this is my life.”
Yet God tends to over-ride our status quo by personally knocking on our doors. Maybe you sense Him knocking on yours and you’re trying to figure out what it means. Here are a few tips:
How to know who’s knocking:
1. Is what you sense, consistent with scripture? Check His Word first. Is it consistent with what you are thinking?
2. How do your thoughts and feelings resonate with this sense of His calling? The Bible says His sheep know his voice and willingly follow him. John 10:27. Is that you?
3. When you sense His nudging, is there an accompanying sense of peace? Check Philippians 4:7 and see if it rings true in your life.
4. Sometimes He speaks through visions and dreams, like to the “wise men” and to Joseph in the Christmas story. See Matthew 2:7-14.
5. Have you confirmed what you sense, by using the counsel of Godly people? That’s always a wise thing to do.
6. What do your circumstances tell you? Do you see God “opening doors” for you to follow His lead?
Four gut-check-ins:
1. Seek – Christ said, “Seek, and you shall find; knock and it will be opened to you.” Is this sense of God’s leading more tied to your own plans, or His? Are you seeking His will?
2. Surrender – this means letting go of control – let go and let God – this can be challenging, as Christ experienced shortly before his death. See Matthew 26:39. But God knows best.
3. Trust – Scripture says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6). Scripture also says, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1). Then it gives fifteen examples in people’s lives, of what faith meant to them.
4. Obey – Jonah was disobedient to God’s call, and it took a killer storm plus a few days in the belly of a huge fish for him to see that obedience is always better. Not easier, but a lot better.
Six sailing examples:
1. Compass check: Love God above all – Mt. 22:37
2. Heading check: Make sure you’re headed where He aims you. See Matthew 6:33-34.
3. Daily orders: Pray to discover God’s plan, daily – 1 Thes. 5:17 says, “Pray continually.”
4. Leadership check: Let Him lead – it’s His plan and power, not yours. See Phil. 2:13.
5. Clutter check: Clear the deck of anything that isn’t plugged into Him – See John 15:5
6. Attitude check: Be thankful in (yup) everything. – See Ps. 86:11-13; Phil. 4:4-5
Five parting questions:
So, who created you?
Why did He create you?
Does He have a plan for your life?
Whose plan is likely better, His or yours?
Is He trustworthy?
John Splinter is the Director of Staff Development with GlobalGrace