Have you ever had to drop what you’re doing because God gives you an assignment you didn’t plan on? I don’t really love interruptions. I feel a secret exasperation when something changes my plans.
That’s why those trumpets in Numbers 10 blow my mind.
After God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, He told them how to set up camp around the tabernacle in the desert. He commanded Moses to make 2 trumpets out of hammered silver. Moses used the trumpets to direct and summon the community. (You can read about this in Numbers 10:1-10.) One trumpet called leaders to assemble at the tent of meeting. Two trumpets meant everyone had to show up.
This floors me. What a lesson in obedience.
Imagine you’re trying to rock your baby to sleep, so you can finally clean your tent. The trumpet sounds.
Maybe you’ve just come in from a hot day working outside, and you’re finally sitting down to eat lunch. You hear the blast.
You drop whatever you’re doing to go to that tent of meeting because Moses and the Lord Almighty are calling you.
God no longer uses a trumpet to summon us. He uses the Holy Spirit.
The other day, I got a Holy Spirit call, loud and clear. But I was in a hurry, so I almost didn’t stop. God wasn’t calling me to a meeting. He was calling me to be a blessing.
As I pulled up to the curb in front of our neighborhood grocery, I almost hit a wiry, curly haired Syrian boy who ran up to my car. Jumping up and down, he used hand signals to help me park. He must have been a refugee, about 7 years old.
I gave him some coins, and two more boys ran toward me. When I walked in the store, God spoke loud and clear. I didn’t hear a trumpet, but a clear thought came to mind:
“Buy those boys something to eat.”
“Oh gosh, I’m in a hurry, Lord, and what can I buy them besides junk food?” (Our neighborhood wholesale shop sells neither produce, nor ready-to-eat food.)
God must have wanted to make sure I paid attention because He sent those three boys into the store right behind me.
“Aunt!” they clamored. “Buy us something to eat! We’re hungry!”
“Aunt! I love Coca-Cola. Buy me some cola?”
I had to circle the store several times looking for something nutritious. I finally bought three containers of yogurt, three cartons of milk, and three bottles of water. I distributed my purchases to my three little friends outside.
My heart swelled when the curly-haired boy grinned and gave me a thumbs up. I think he said this in Arabic: “Thanks, Aunt! This is good!”
I had almost missed out on that joy.
How much joy do we miss because we’re too busy to pay attention to God’s prompting to bless others? His promptings can come in the form of a telephone call, a knock at the door, or a child’s request. His call often requires that we drop what we’re doing for a few minutes.
God won’t blow a trumpet into our ears, but He does call us to be a blessing.
Sometimes we answer His call by sending a text or a note to a friend. Other times we answer by sitting down to play a game of Candyland with a little person. Or we keep a box of individually wrapped peanut butter crackers in the car, so we’ll have something to give to that woman at the intersection under the bridge.
The next time you have a random thought to bless someone, how about dropping what you’re doing for a few minutes? Maybe it’s God calling you to shine His love. Don’t miss out on the joy.
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I’m linking up with Kelly Balarie’s #RaRaLinkup, Tuesday Talk with Ruthie Gray, Holley Gerth’s Coffee for Your Heart, Lyli Dunbar’s Thought-Provoking Thursday, Arabah Joy’s Grace and Truth, and Deb Wolf’s Faith ‘N Friends. Check out these communities for more encouragement.
Photo credit: Melika (Note: This is a photo of regular boys in my country, not refugee boys.)
Aha!!!
I love this my friend…paying attention to what needs to be done.
I love your heart of obedience, Bestsy.
Thank so much for this blessing today.
Totally sharing this.
God Bless
That’s a great way of putting it: paying attention to what needs to be done! 🙂
I love that you became aware of your surroundings and saw the blessing. Not only for the boys, but the joy you received in giving…Love you Betsy! You are a sweet angel and we all are blessed to know and love you!
Wendy, thanks for your kind words. I’m remembering your service of love to kids through the Birthday Party Project. Such a beautiful ministry. 🙂
I love those moments! But just like you said, I am sometimes so busy with my own schedule that I miss them. In fact, I’ve missed them before, then felt the pain of knowing I had missed a God-given opportunity. May we all take time to listen for the Holy Spirit’s promptings today and every day! Thank you for the sweet, sweet encouragement, friend:)
Yes, Kristine. It’s so easy to get busy and miss those God moments. I had another opportunity just yesterday to set my work aside and listen to my kids RIGHT WHILE I was putting the final touches on this post. Praise God, I was able to set it aside and it was so worth it! I don’t always stop to listen…
Betsy aren’t those precious moments in our obedience. I’ve learned to stop and pay attention. I love how He beckons us to be a blessing. Thanks for this precious post. Love you girl.
Thank you, Debbie. I can’t say I’ve learned it yet, but I’m trying! 🙂
It’s those “random” thoughts. Yes, I’m there with you, Betsy, leaning in more closely to His direction, tearing down the walls of a heart that doesn’t embrace inconvenience. Love how you reached these 3 boys. #GoJesus and go Betsy, go!
Oh, yes, let’s lean in more closely and listen to His direction. Blessings to you, friend!
What a wonderful post and such a simple reminder that we are called to “listen” and to be “obedient”. It is so important that we set aside our busyness for God’s work no matter what time it is or where we are.
Amen, Pam! I’m learning. Three steps forward. Two back.
Betsy,
Sometimes I keep spare change or chic FIL a gift cards in my car for just this reason. I do this after once being scammed by a woman posing to be destitute…but I prayed with her, so even though she made off with my money I was blessed by being able to share with her the love of God through prayer. Thanks for the reminder to keep my ears open for the trumpet.
Blessings,
Bev
Yes, the Chick Fil-A gift card is a great idea! We also prefer not to give money. That’s what a homeless ministry we know of told us. Thanks for reading, Bev.
Beautiful, Betsy. What blessings have we missed along the way because we ignored that still, small voice …
Thank you, Linda. I want to listen for that voice.
Betsy I absolutely LOVE this and I’m sharing it! So down to earth and timely as I am swimming in a sea of details, yet still needing to listen for that still, small “trumpet”!
I just love hearing details about the culture you live in. “Aunt” must be a familiar term for them.
Never even thought about those trumpets like that before. You brought something so mundane and seemingly trivial such as these details in the OT to new life and made it practical.
That’s why I love you! 🙂
Thank you, Ruthie. I’m sure you ARE swimming in a sea of details. Praying for you now, friend. Yes, “Aunt” and “Big Sister” and “Uncle” and “Big Brother” can be used with strangers.
And yes, the idea of having to drop everything to run to a meeting when Moses blew a trumpet really made me think…
This brought tears to my eyes. What a blessing you were. It reminded me of when my kids were still in school. It was a cold December morning, and the kids were standing in line outside the school waiting for the bell to ring. There was a little boy from my daughter’s class standing there wearing only a short sleeved shirt and no socks. I felt so sorry for him and asked him if he was cold (it was about 20 degrees fahrenheit). He quietly said no, and I remember thinking to myself how brave he was to not complain about his situation. I couldn’t stop thinking about him all day. God had obviously laid it on my heart to do something for him. I had to do my grocery shopping that day, so I made sure that I had $10 left out of my grocery money because there was a store at the mall that sold down jackets for $10. When I took the coat into the school office, I asked them to please give it to him- I didn’t want to. They insisted that I be the one to present it to him, and when I saw his huge smile when he saw the jacket, I broke into tears (like I am now). From that day on, he would always come up to me at the school and say hi. This happened about 11 years ago, but I often think about the little boy with the beautiful smile. He wasn’t the one who was blessed that day. I was.
Shelly, what a beautiful story. Now you’ve brought tears to my eyes. I had the chance to buy some yogurt drinks (ayran) for these same boys a few days later. They were so sweet and helped me put my groceries in the car, and didn’t even look in my bags.
Betsy,
I love that you did that and how God blesses everyone (you, the boys, and us as we read) when we obey. Thanks for blessing us 🙂 And I pray God continues to strengthen and bless you and your family ….funny, I just prayed for Christians in Syria today…not knowing that is where you were 🙂
Oh, Dolly thanks for reading. I’m not in Syria. I’m in Turkey. Just next door. Thanks for your prayer. I’ve missed you!
Betsy! You were just echoing my hearts thoughts. I didn’t listen to God’s call for over 5 years (maybe more) about something He wanted to do to bless someone else. Every time I stepped foot in a certain place, he asked and I refused. Last week I drove to the same place and as I pulled up the drive his prompting came again. I repented and said I will deny your call no more. It was an ever bigger leap of faith but I knew that I had to follow His lead. He showed me within minutes how very pleased He was and I must say that I am so thankful I did not miss out on the joy that followed my obedience. Praying that it opens doors for many moments of joy as I remember to say yes more readily.
I’m praising God with you, Jodie. Thanks so much for reading today. Your example and testimony bless me so much, friend. I tried to visit your blog a few weeks ago, and for some reason chrome wouldn’t let me go there? Will try again tomorrow.
make sure you are using our new site faithfullyfollowingministries.org ; I just checked it on chrome 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Betsy. I love your example of the boys and the food/drinks you bought for them. To be prepared for these opportunities you have to have an open heart and ears. I don’t, always.
Believe me, Jeannie, I don’t always have an open heart and ears either! We are all growing! (Hopefully) Sometimes I feel like three steps forward, two back, but God is so patient.
What a great testimony you share here Betsy! Oh how we wish it were a trumpet sounding or some writing in the sky but it’s the still small voice that asks us to do God’s bidding. I pray I hear it every time and obey with gladness of heart! I am always excited to read your posts. I know I will get something applicable to my Christian walk. May God keep His arms around you and yours protecting and directing in all your endeavors!
I’m with you, Horace. I wish it were as easy as a trumpet in the sky. Thanks for your encouragement here.
I love your God story. He definitely has a way of getting our attention. Random thoughts aren’t really random when God is involved.
I miss a lot because I’m looking ahead with blinders on instead of opening my heart to hear God’s promptings. Blessings!
I think so many things we define as “random” are actually God-directed, don’t you Mary?
What a joy, Betsy! So glad you were sensitive to the Spirit’s voice. You were the hands and feet of Jesus to those boys!
Oh wow, what a wonderful moment and act of faithfulness. How many times have I shrugged off those nudges? Love this encouragement for us to listen for the Sprit’s call and be obedient.
Betsy, you came to mind when I opened my newspaper this morning and saw the front-page headline … praying for you today, my friend. And this post is a wonderful summer reminder to make what’s right in front of me my priority, rather than what’s on my to-do list. 🙂
Oh this brings tears to my eyes– a gal from our church just got back from serving in the refugee camps over in Greece– she told so many stories of how the Holy Spirit truly worked in her life through that experience– Sometimes it does sound like a trumpet and sometimes it’s merely a whisper. Thank you for the reminder to always be listening and not too bent out of shape to be a blessing– I don’t always love interruptions either, but I’m learning to be more grace-full when I hear the whoosh of the spirit moving. Thanks Betsy! Happy to bump into you over at Holley’s again to day as neighbors this time! ♥
What a precious illustration of how God uses the Holy Spirit to help us be a blessing to others. Thank you for the reminder to be open to the Spirit’s leading, and to not let our busyness get in the way of our greater purpose here on Earth. XOXO
This is a beautiful post, Betsy. Thank you so much for sharing. I love your perspective. I will never view those Old Testament trumpets the same way again and purpose to be more sensitive to the “trumpet calls” of the Holy Spirit in my own life, just as you advise.
Amazing.
The right heart attitude can change “I have to” into “I get to.”
Thank you, Betsy.
Amen!
Sometimes I think I’d rather have the trumpet. Sigh. It might be easier to recognize. But I have to trust that God’s ways are SO much higher than mine, and that he will get my attention any way he wants to, if I’ll allow it. Thanks for this, Betsy. Good stuff!
I’m with you, Lisa! Wish I had a trumpet! But then again, we do have the Holy Spirit. 🙂
Love this, Betsy! It’s just so easy to let myself get too busy to hear Him call… Your mention of a pack of crackers in the car made me think of a project we did years ago at church. We collected items to be placed in large ziplock bags… hygiene items, small devotionals, non-perishable food. They were Blessing Bags. I kept one in the car so when I saw someone in need I could easily hand this little package to them. Maybe you could adapt that for your needs there… xo
Brings a big smile to my face, Betsy. Just a big smile and a warmed heart. : ) Thanks for sharing this story and lesson. Those little changes to my plans irritate me too, but so often I’m delighted to find that when it’s Him calling, answering brings more joy than sticking to my plan. What a blessing.
Thanks for reading, Bethany. It’s true that His plan brings more joy than my plan! 🙂
God’s special “little calls” during our day…how many have I missed through the years?! What a sweet and precious thing to be able to fill hungry bellies. You were Christ to them that day, Betsy!
The Lord guided me a while back to have “homeless bags” made up in my car. One within easy reach while I’m driving. I just use cheap, reusable bags and fill them with some easy-to-eat (and nutritious) food, along with some cookies, bottled water, toiletries, hand sanitizer, tissues, and a little new testament. I add a card with a note in my handwriting to encourage them and tell them about God’s love for them.
I’ve only given away three so far. But I am blessed to be a blessing to them and share God’s love while I’m driving or in a parking lot. The last time, just recently, we were on our way to church and the traffic came to a dead stop on the highway. As there was no time to make our meeting, we got off the next exit to turn around and go home. And while stopped at the red light, a homeless man was walked right beside my car. I told David, “That’s why we were supposed to be here right now.” David and I prayed for him as we headed home, rejoicing all the way.
Being a blessing only makes us desire to answer God’s “little calls” more and more! Thanks, sweet friend for sharing your precious story.
That is a GREAT idea, Sabra, to have bags. Maybe I will do that. I’m really challenged here with nutritious and ready to eat foods because the stores don’t seel that kind of stuff here, but even bars of soap, toothbrush and toothpaste would be a blessing. Great idea, friend! What a story you have too.
This is so true. I love how God sometimes has to give us a little extra push after the first nudge (like the boys following you in the store haha!) What a great reminder to listen to the little promptings of the Holy Spirit! Thanks for sharing this with us for Tuesday Talk! I’m sharing this on social media and featuring it for this week’s party! -Jessica, Sweet Little Ones
Oh thanks so much, Jessica. I appreciate it. Yes, God often has to give me that extra little “nudge.”