Speak

I read through the Book of Job this week. The issue of suffering (and the little piece of global suffering that I experience) was not the primary message I received in my current reading of this heavy book.

Most of this portion of God’s inspired Word is full of talking heads and wagging tongues. There is a lot of discussing, correcting and challenging. But there is little listening. Job talks. His three friends talk. Finally young Elihu talks. Talk, talk, talk.

By the time I began chapter 37, I was weary of the “talk” of mere mortals, Job and his four counselors. I know how the Book of Job ends, and I was anxious to get to the good part – “Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm…” (38:1ff).

Honestly, I sometimes grow weary of my own wagging tongue and the flapping lips of others. Don’t get me wrong. Like some of the words of Job’s four friends, many of the words I hear are helpful, godly, wise and accurate. But deep in my soul, there is a longing. Perhaps you have felt it… or feel it now.

I want to hear from God.

“God, I want and need to hear from You today. Quiet my wagging tongue. Speak to me, holy and loving LORD.”

Travel Update – I hit the road again tomorrow (November 11) and look forward to visiting with friends and church leaders in Tallahassee, Niceville, Fort Walton Beach, Mobile, Jackson, Starkville, Birmingham and Atlanta. I’ll be flying pretty low – returning home on November 16. Thanks for praying.

A Bigger Windshield

In early January, I decided to begin driving instead of flying – any time that I could. Among many benefits, this pattern has provided me opportunities to begin and/or stay in touch with a bunch of people that I was “flying over” in the past.

Last Tuesday I returned from a seven-day “tour” that included stops in Atlanta, Charlotte, Clemson, Raleigh, Greensboro, Boone, Asheville… and Atlanta again. Accomplishments included a board meeting with Minorities for Christ International, planning meetings with Chinese leaders, meetings with leaders about better mobilizing their churches in mission, discussions with men and women desiring to more tangibly participate in God’s mission, great fellowship, and some time with my grandkids.

Special thanks and prayer to all those who provided food, lodging, prayer and fellowship along the way – the Grantham’s, Chiang’s, Hasting’s, Baddour’s and Gilland’s. A different bed each night is really not so bad as long as I’m staying with people that love me.

As I drove last week, I enjoyed the beauty of God’s handiwork in the mountains of NC, but I also realized something. What we see out our own windshields has a way of limiting what we focus on and pray about. We tend to think, worry and pray for people and things that we see out our windshields – my family, my friends, my neighbors, my church, my nation. God knows that these are all things in need of prayer and my attention. But is that all there is to faithful Christian discipleship? 

I think God is trying to give me a bigger windshield. What about you?

Pray for me as I drive out today. I look forward to connecting with God’s people in Destin, Jackson, Memphis, Nashville and Atlanta in the next week. I’ll be trying to keep my windshield clean and big.