I wanted to get and read this book by John Eldredge after reading his first book Wild at Heart. John’s writings seem to be really speaking or hitting me at this time or season of life and this particular situation of incarceration that I’m currently going through. I think the common misconception in the Christian walk is that God speak to the big important stars or prophets of the Bible, like Moses, Abraham, Noah or Elijah but He would never speak to little, unimportant me (a lie), why would He even care about the details of my life however trivial (a lie), and even if He did speak, how would I recognize His voice (a lie) or how could I hear His voice amidst all the noise, pollution and distraction of my daily life? All good and real assumptions… John addresses all these and more over the course of a year of his life, using real examples/excerpts from his personal daily interactions.
These are some of the key concepts covered;
-Being good and believing in God is not enough.
-Worldview is I should do more, think more, study more, or busy myself more out of my own strength. Unfortunately, we can’t master enough principles and disciplines to ensure our little lives work out, we need God and His daily direction.
-“and the sheep follow Him because they know His voice…” John 10:1-4
-Intimacy with God is the purpose our lives, being in relationship with Him. And God is all about our transformation and restoring us to Him if necessary.
-True life flows from the vine (John 15:5) and His yoke is easy and His way is light.
-God, what is the life you want me to lead?
-Ask things in different ways to confirm, while surrendering your will, flesh, human desires, and personality as much as possible.
-The very real battle between fighting for and finding joy vs just relief (alcohol, drugs, pornography etc.)
-Asking Him where He would like us to read in the Bible
-Troubleshooting why you might not be hearing from God; 1)possibly distracted 2)The Enemy is at work 3) He is not speaking right now 4)He wants you to discover something else first
-Recognizing Fruits of the Spirit vs Fruits of the Flesh, and the realization that Satan exists and there is a spiritual battle going on.
-Ask the next question… and be persistent when necessary.
-Key Point of entire book: God disrupts our lives usually through pain to get us to let go of things we love and/or we have given our hearts to, so that we can more fully give our hearts to Him.
Secondary Key Point: We want a nice, little life and I want to play an important role in God’s kingdom, which are diametrically opposed to each other, and part of us doesn’t want to hear what God has to say and we want to do life on our terms.
-Break any/all agreements with the Enemy we have made in the past about our life or wounding’s.
-Get to the cause rather than just treating the symptom/problem.
-Be aware that other’s battle’s can transfer to you or your family.
-Release others to Him. We don’t need to intercede on everyone’s issues. Ask Him who and when. And when asking to intercede in prayer, if prompted to, and without judgement.
-Reflection prayer important for words for a season or a new year or new beginning.
This book has come to me at a time when I really need to hear His voice, recognize the Good Shepard, and then act on what He is showing or telling me. For far too long I have tried to do things out of my own strength, desire or intellect or reason and it has left me exhausted from trying to keep this perfect little life together, holding on by a thread and eventually ending up incarcerated at a Federal Prison Camp.
I pray the lord once again extends His grace and mercy, and allows me a second chance, and along the way be in constant communication and conversation with Him, following His voice, and direction through His strength. I may stray at times or be or get distracted but my prayer is that I quickly regain that intimate relationship I have with my Heavenly Father! Amen!
