Jesus said his sheep would hear His voice, and He spoke to me loud and clear at In-N-Out Burger last Sunday. Only I didn’t hear it because I was too wrapped up in trying animal fries for the first time.
Our family was taking a break from a dreary, rainy day road trip to get something quick to eat. Just as I doubtfully lifted an animal fry dripping with sauce and grilled onions, my son said, “Mom, look under your cup.” And there it was printed plain as day in red letters:
Revelations 3:20
Andres even read the verse out loud. Only I didn’t pay attention because I wasn’t expecting God to speak to me. I was busy thinking, “Hmm, these fries taste better than they look.”
I’m kind of slow like that.
The next day I heard God speak.
During my quiet time, I remembered my word for December: Behold
The Facebook post I’d written before our road trip came to mind: “I want to behold Jesus, His glory, and His power throughout this Advent season.”
And it hit me. In-N-Out Burger. Revelations 3:20
Crazy, huh? Anyone could say that it was just a paper cup, but I knew different. God was speaking to me. He was calling me to deeper fellowship and giving me more desire to behold His glory.
To behold Jesus, we must listen for His voice.
He longs to speak to us. Job 33:14 says, “For God speaks time and again, but a person may not notice it.” I hadn’t noticed His voice at In-N-Out because frankly, I wasn’t expecting it.
God speaks in so many ways, and deep down inside we know His voice when we hear it. God speaks through:
- The Words of Scripture
- A Song
- Nature
- A Phone Call or Text Message
- A Child’s Smile
- A Word of Counsel from a Friend
What if we really expected God to reveal Himself and speak to us?
Let’s lean in close and listen up. Will you join me?
Let’s pray that He’ll open our ears to His voice during this season of Advent. Then let’s expect Him to actually speak when we open our Bibles, tune into worship music, or go outside to enjoy His creation. When our spouses or friends have something to say, let’s listen for His whisper. We’re His sheep, and we’ll know His voice when we hear it.
Now it’s your turn: Has God spoken to you in a surprising way lately? How do you best hear His voice?
I’m linking up with Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday. Writers all around the world join in a flash mob of free writing. This week’s prompt is “Season.” Join us over at Kate’s place for fun and encouragement. Also joining with Arabah Joy’s Grace & Truth, Susan B. Mead’s Dance with Jesus, and Deb Wolf’s Faith ‘N Friends.
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Love this, Betsy! I’ve been copying a passage of scripture each morning (one of those Facebook meme challenges that started who knows where–but it’s a great idea), and I realized that what I always tell my students about making them copy things so it goes through their brains is actually true for me, too. Changing up my routine from underlining and highlighting and making notes to just copying the words has helped me listen to God in a different way.
I like to do that too, Anita. But I haven’t done Revelations 3:20 yet! Want to do that one. May His words go through our brains and into our hearts!
He’s speaking to me through a daily, and increasing bludgeoning. This is getting brutal, but there is the implicit challenge…
Do you believe in me or not?
He hasn’t orchestrated thus; if I thought that I’d run as far as I could from Him. But He is offering to stiffen my backbone, so that I can laugh into the fires of Hell itself.
And in that choice for laughter, I find faith.
An everyday, ordinary faith, that I find every day.
God speaks through pain. I can’t imagine. Andrew, may He give you ever increasing grace and hope. You’re a walking miracle. (although I know you would have preferred a much different miracle than you’re getting.) You’re more valuable than you know.
Betsy, how many times I’ve missed God’s voice because I wasn’t expecting it, so I missed it. As I learn to be still, I’m hopefully, learning to hear His voice more clearly, even in the unexpected. 🙂 God has been speaking to me through His word lately. Some of the insights He’s sharing with me are causing me to seek more of Him, if that makes sense. 🙂 I love that we can never get to the bottom of discovering who He is.
Great post. Oh, and In-N-Out is my favorite fast food restaurant! 🙂
I’m trying to learn to be still Jeanne, but it doesn’t come naturally except for in my morning quiet time! I’m so glad you’re having good times in God’s Word. (I was trying In-N-Out for the first time last Sunday!)
I love how you were eating animal fries and the verse is about God coming in and eating with you. God is so cool like that! Great tips for leaning in and listening to His voice. I have a sudden hankering for something greasy. (Thanks). I’m in the spot right after you today.
He is cool like that, Christina!
Yeah, me too — I’m kinda slow like that. I’m also pondering the word “behold” this month, and especially as it relates to PAYING ATTENTION! So often I run around with my hair on fire missing everything, or else I’m paying attention to all the wrong things. Who was it that said, “We become like what we behold”?
Running around with your hair on fire! You crack me up. Describes me perfectly. Blessings on your weekend, friend!
Hey Betsy,
What a thought-provoking post today! Your message reminds me a little of Experiencing God, and Henry Blackaby talking about looking for and listening for God to speak. What a great reminder – to be paying attention, to behold!
I had one of those days just yesterday where I kept encountering the same Bible verse over and over – in my devotions, in link ups, and in song. Isn’t it sweet when God speaks to us (and does it over and over)!
Found your post on FatihnFriends.
Hope you have a blessed weekend~
Melanie
Hi there Melanie. I’ve had that happen too: the same verse showing up over and over. Funny how God does that! I guess I need a lot of repetition, and he really wants me to get it!
Listening quietly. Hearing Him beckon through Ann Voskamp’s ‘The Greatest Gift.’ The beauty of His creation. The conversations with kindred spirits.
And being here.
Weekend comforts and joys to you, Betsy …
Beautiful, Linda. I hope you hear His voice loud and clear. And gently and softly too. Weekend joy to you as well.
Hi Betsy! I am sitting here in at my computer, reading your post, and I just said right out-loud “Wow, is that cool…”
God truly does reach out to us in ways we just don’t ever expect. Even at a Burger joint! How fun that your children were completely into the Scripture, and read out what it said. Behold indeed!!!
God is speaking to you because you are willing to hear. What a blessed thing! May He stay with you in special ways all through the month. Something tells me you’ll hear from Him again.
Blessings,
Ceil
You’re making me smile here, Ceil. I think I’ll hear from Him again too, and I bet you will as well! God can speak to us anywhere, can’t He. I love that we don’t have to be in church, or someplace “holy” like that.
What a wonderful story Betsy. I love how God reaches out to us, yet we can overlook it, or as you did, realize that He was speaking to you. May you have a wonderful weekend. Visiting via Faith ‘n Friends today 🙂
Yes, Crystal. Kind of makes me wonder how much I might be missing. But I guess God certainly has the power to make sure I hear when He wants to tell me something!
I love how God can speak to us in such unexpected ways. Great reminder about how important it is to be listening for his voice.
Thank you, Carly, for stopping by today.
Betsy,
I think that I best hear God’s voice when I’m looking and listening for it. Like you, I probably wouldn’t have expected it at a burger joint. I’m guilty of putting God in a box sometimes and not expecting to hear from Him in certain places, but that’s the beauty and majesty of God…He can use all of creation (even the least expected ways) to speak to us. I love your word “behold”. Thank you for the reminder to be more intentional in looking for where and when God is whispering to me, “Behold….”.
Blessings this Advent season,
Bev
I love this, Betsy. I’ve actually never been to an In N Out and have no idea what animal fries are, but I’m sure my kids would love them. 😉 We often try to overcomplicate it, don’t we? But God is speaking to us all the time. We just have to be still and listen. Thanks so much for this. Your words make me smile. And yes! That rain…glad it finally stopped here.
Yes, Abby, we do overcomplicate things. Like if it’s printed right there, it can’t possibly be God speaking to me.
My kids were the ones who suggested stopping at In-N-Out, and I WAS so glad when the rain stopped. I love rain, but 8 days were enough. 🙂 Blessings t you friend.
WOW! WOW! WOW! I really love this! It spoke directly to me… because back in March, I also heard God speak to me while at “In and Out”. http://tondradenise.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-lesson-at-lunch-salt-and-water.html
And THIS…
is yet another reason why I love five-minute-Friday because not everyone can appreciate or understand just how special it is to have God take time to speak to us during lunch, but He’s just good like that! Thank you for sharing… and reminding us to slow down and listen.
Hi Betsy!
I one of your followers and love your memes and wonder which tool you use to create them? Although I’ve been blogging for several years, the technical side of things is lacking. I’m looking to learn a thing or two, especially meme creation tools. I’ve used picmonkey.com, but it doesn’t offer many fun options like fonts and frames.
I appreciate your help and advice! Thank you!
Wishing you a meaningful Advent, Cathy Twitter @Cathy_Chung Blogging at Seeds of Scripture
Thanks so much, Cathy, for your encouragement on my graphics, I’ll answer in a separate e-mail!
Oh this is lovely!
I love when the Lord calls us in ways like this. It takes a while for me to get the message too but when I get it -it’s sweet!
I occasionally get love letters from God – they show up everywhere. When it dawned on me last year that God was sending me these hearts (and I mean literal heart shapes) I began to wonder how many I had missed.
Anyway – this was wonderful and a refreshing inspiration to lean in to hear God’s voice.
Blessings to you.
xoxo
Thanks for the encouragement, Jennifer. I hope you’ll notice many love letters from God this month! Love that idea.
Beautiful, Betsy. How often I have missed His voice. I needed this eye-opener. Thanks, my sweet friend!
Blessings to you, Sabra. Let’s listen in close!
Oh, Betsy, I’m often slow to hear/notice, too. 🙂 I appreciate your call to listen carefully for His voice, especially during the Christmas hustle and bustle. Thank you for sharing with us at Grace and Truth last week. Your post will be my feature! 🙂
Jen @ Being Confident of This
Oh Jen, thanks so much for featuring me. I appreciate you. I’m so slow myself. Like. Really. But God is good always, isn’t He? Always faithful!
You are very welcome, Betsy! Yes, He is always faithful, even when we are not. 🙂