Inside: Listening when God says stop, examining our motives before we post and moving forward without a detailed plan. ~

Has God ever spoken to you directly? Not in an audible voice, but in a way that you knew it was Him?

I can’t say with 100 percent certainty that this has happened to me, but I think it has.

I’ve been pondering this because right now I’d really love a direct message from God about what I’m supposed to do next. I hear a little voice in my mind that sounds good, but then I think, maybe that’s just me.

When It’s Not Just Me

I go back to those few times when it seemed as if God spoke, and I notice a few commonalities. I remember where I was. And each time, it was a sense that I was supposed to not do something or stop doing something.

Don’t write about that.

Don’t say that.

Stop that.

Never a step-by-step plan of how to proceed, or even a single next step.

Here’s an Example

Earlier this year, I was tossing clothes in the dryer and thinking about daughter Molly’s upcoming high school graduation. As I often do, I started writing in my head—about how sparse my resume is because I’ve mostly “just” been a stay-at-home mom all these years, and whether I made a mistake by not doing more professionally during that time.

I hadn’t gotten very far with this train of thought when I heard the still, small Voice—loud and clear over the laundry room noise. You’re not going to write that.

(By the way, this happened right after I had Covid, when the illness and accompanying inability to exercise had plunged me into an uncharacteristic mental funk.)

I Heeded the Message

I knew my thoughts were coming from a place of insecurity, so they needed to be filtered through the lens of truth and reality before they could ever be turned into words on a page (or a screen).

You see, over the years I’ve learned how important it is to pay attention to the motivation behind my writing. When an idea flows from a desire for validation or affirmation, for example, I need to proceed with caution, if at all.

On the other hand, if I simply wish to encourage others—even when I need the same words of encouragement myself—I’m usually OK to keep going.

Stop That!

A “stop-doing-that” divine directive came early in my blogging days, when I was slightly obsessed with pageviews, subscribers and comments. (Perhaps you’ve already guessed that this, too, was largely driven by an unhealthy need for affirmation.)

I had just gotten out of the shower one morning when this message filtered through my mind and heart: Quit looking at the stats.

Once again, I listened. Except for a period last fall when I took a blogging class that proved not to be very helpful, I’ve mostly stayed away from the stats page.

Checking Our Hearts

I’m not suggesting other bloggers follow my example in this, especially if they want to grow their audience. But I would encourage all of us who post anywhere—Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Substack, etc.—to examine our motivations before we ever share a single word.

Are we trying scratch an itch that should really be soothed by a friend, loved one or perhaps even the Holy Spirit? If so, it might be better to hold off on the post for a while, or forever.

Over time, my need for external validation has lessened as I’ve grown more comfortable and confident in God’s design and ways of working in my life. Which brings me back to my original conundrum: When is He going to tell me what to do next?

Maybe you’re asking a similar question. Based on past experience, I only have one answer for both of us.

Stop worrying about what’s next and focus on what’s now.

Now What?

I don’t know about you, but there’s a whole to-do list of work sitting in a notebook on my kitchen island, just waiting to be tackled.

Some of it may lead to other work, some of it may not. Doors might slam shut tight, while perhaps one or two will open.

At some point, that still small Voice may let us know it’s time to stop, to let it go, to move on to something else.

But we won’t know unless we complete what’s right in front of us, will we?

Good News

As we think about potential rejection, let’s remember that no is a perfectly good answer.

Sure, it might sting and disappoint for a while. But if we hold our plans and dreams loosely—though not so loosely we let them slip away entirely—and pray for God’s will to be done regarding each one, each time we get a no we can mark that off our list and trust that He has something else in mind for us.

Dealing with possible future rejection isn’t our assignment for today, though.

Time’s a wastin. Let’s get busy and see what happens.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Inspire Me Monday, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

Photo by Esther Ware.