John 10:27: My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
During the beginning of the week in Cuba, our leader Colby Gardner gave us a challenge that would require us to practice Listening Prayer: You can begin by reading Scripture and then ask the Lord to speak to you through it. If you have a question that you want to ask God, you simply ask it and then listen for the answer. The question Colby asked us was to ask God for a word of encouragement that we would give someone that week. God could speak to us through scripture, show us a vision, a color, give us a name, etc. We were to quiet our minds and wait for God to speak.
Quieting my mind can be so difficult at times. Yet in Cuba we were without the distractions of work, and technology. It was in this moment where I heard the voice of God speak clearly as day, “You shall live and not die.” This was followed by a vision of bright blue and a name beginning with the letter “D.”
I began to do like most of us when we receive or hear the voice of God. I questioned its authenticity, “Is this you God or was this me?”
The words, “You shall live and not die” continued to echo in my head. I decided at that moment to trust God and believe that He would reveal its purpose during the week.
It was our last day of street evangelism with the pastors we were serving with and I still had not felt the need to share this word with anyone. “Maybe it was to be encouragement for someone back at home,” were my thoughts.
This was until I met Delores.
Wow, “that’s my mother in law’s name,” I exclaimed. “Is there anything I can pray for you about?”
Delores began to tell us about her upcoming serious surgery. It was at that moment, I noticed that she was wearing a bright blue undershirt under her white shirt, and a blue classic Chevy in the background.
I had peace in that moment of confirmation. I knew the Lord wanted me to tell her to be encouraged, that she would live and not die. I let her know that God loved her and that she had no reason to fear.
I don’t know what happened to Delores after that day, but I do know that she is ok.
This week in Cuba reminded me that God is always speaking, and that I must tune out the distractions and listen. He speaks in many different ways and we aren’t to limit Him.
