Listening to God’s Gentle Calling

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22

There Are No Coincidences

I pulled up to the grocery store and I noticed an older woman in a run-down van next to me. She was outside of her car talking on her phone. She looked frantic and upset. When I got out of my car, I heard a toddler crying profusely in the back seat. As I loaded up my kids in the grocery cart right by her car, I kept hearing a voice in my head persistently and softly saying, say hello, ask if she’s okay. I admit, I don’t always abide by this voice, but in this moment, I felt overwhelmed by this calling. So, in obedience I said, “are you okay?” She said she needed diapers for her grandson, but she didn’t have enough money. As I looked into her eyes, I immediately saw Jesus. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in (Matthew 25:35).

Unforgettable Experiences

I knew the Lord was calling me to help this woman and her grandson. We packed up this little boy, along with my children, in the cart. Throughout our time in the grocery store she was shy about telling me what she needed so I threw a bunch of food and baby necessities in. She thanked me profusely every time I placed something in the cart. As we were walking through the store, I began to realize this was part of God’s plan for my day. When we were done shopping, and all the groceries were packed up, she gave me a huge hug and said she would never forget my kindness. This was an experience I will never forget.

Tugs on the Heart

Later that day, as I reflected on this experience, I knew God guided me to park next to this woman. I heard a voice in my heart and felt a tug on my heart to reach out to her. This was God speaking to me with his perfect guidance, not forceful but gently persistent through thoughts and feelings. In reflection, I also heard, to whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48). God has blessed me with so much, he expects me to share with others the blessings he has given me.

Magnetic Pulls

Jesus asks and calls us to listen to these magnetic pulls to help others or to complete a task he wishes for us. It’s up to us to either fulfill his will or ignore his voice. I left that experience with a greater understanding of the importance of listening to Jesus’ voice. It is not forceful or overpowering but a gentle hint and a persistent tug on your heart to do something. These tugs may be as simple as calling to check in on a friend whose name comes to mind, treating a stranger to a cup of coffee, or helping a worker clean up a mess. These big and little callings on our heart are Jesus saying, this person needs you, I am asking you to help. How amazing to think the creator of the universe wishes to communicate with you and he knows what a difference you can make?!

God’s Gentle Voice

Let’s open our hearts to Jesus’ voice. There is no doubt it will echo in the world and your kindness will be multiplied. If you treat one person with love, they will in turn treat someone else with love. This begins a ripple effect of kindness. Best of all, this allows our hearts to be open to constant communication with the Lord. This is the greatest blessing of all! He will never lead you astray. Trust and listen to his gentle voice!

Learn More about enjoying the Simple Things in life in my blog The Best Things in Life Are Free.

Xo,

Merr