I have a cartoon that shows a man in the desert fasting and praying that God would speak to him. After a lengthy time, a phone falls out of the sky dangling by its cord in front of the surprised man. Too often, when we want God to speak to us, we expect something like this cartoon to take place or a booming voice roaring out of heaven. I know people who say that God has never once spoken to them. However, they may have missed the lessons the LORD was trying to communicate because they were expecting the wrong method of communication.
I was surprised at the number of positive emails I received concerning last week’s SW, “I’ve Got Your Back” using ‘black kitty’ as an illustration. Even this week, the Holy Spirit has brought several more lessons to my mind. None of them came by a booming audible voice from heaven or even a voice in my head. These thoughts did not even happen, while I was at my desk studying the Bible or praying. Rather the LORD brought scriptures to my mind and lessons from His Word as we have continued caring for the ‘black kitty.’
Jesus often used natural things in life to communicate. He spoke to Peter in what I like to call, fisherman’s language. Peter already knew Jesus but apparently had not made a commitment to follow Him. Luke records in 5:1-11 the event that finally brought understanding to Peter and led him to surrender fully to Jesus’ calling. He and his companion had fished all night, caught nothing, and were washing their nets. Jesus was teaching along the lakeshore and requested use of Peter’s boat from where he could teach because the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God. Peter agreed but continued washing and packing up his nets. After finishing His sermon, Jesus told Peter, Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch. Reluctantly, Peter obeyed even though from his experience as a fisherman, he doubted he would catch anything. To his amazement, they caught so many fish that his net was breaking. Note Peter’s response, But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” We know that Jesus had talked with Peter prior to this and maybe even asked him to follow, but this time Jesus communicated in ‘fisherman’s language’ in a way that Peter understood who Jesus was. As a result, they left everything and followed Him (v11).
I could write the Sustaining Word each week in Greek, or Romanian, or Bemba. However, I would have a limited audience if I had any. However, my desire is to communicate in such a way that everyone from any one of the 51 countries from where people view the web page, will understand what I am trying to say.
The LORD desires that we comprehend what He is saying to mankind. Of course, the only source for that is the Bible. Yet, He does put events, illustrations, object lessons, etc. before us in order to help us understand and apply His word. The ordinary things we encounter daily can be a method God uses to communicate to us.
Another lesson I learned from ‘black kitty’ this week was the manner in which God draws us to Himself. The ‘black kitty’ was one of the feral cats that were here when we moved. We were never able to get anywhere close to it. Even after we put out food, it would run away when anyone went outside. After its injury and we began giving it milk and soft food, it started coming closer and closer to us. Now we cannot go out the door without it right at our feet. Paul says that the kindness of God leads you to repentance (Rom 2:4). I guess we have all wondered at times, why God has not brought down judgment on wicked people. God is showing His kindness to draw them to Himself. Peter also addresses this; The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2Pe 3:9). God does not cause bad things to happen in order for us to repent; rather He shows us His kindness so His love will draw us to Him.
No voices from heaven, no visions or dreams, no angelic visitations (all of which God can do), but lessons from an injured little ‘black kitty.’ Look around you this week. God may be trying to communicate something to you in ‘fisherman language’ or whatever language you will understand.
Sustaining Word for the Week:
Is God trying to say something to you? Do not wait for a booming voice from above and a phone to fall out of the sky. Maybe, there is a ‘black kitty’ in your life.