Listen carefully! God sometimes speaks in a still small voice!

“And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:12)

I didn't want to be bothered! 

I was on a plane on my way back from a speaking engagement. I was travel worn and exhausted. Usually when I travel, I try to get a seat next to the window, then I put on my noise cancelation headphones to escape mentally from all that is around me.

But, not this time!

I was seated in a middle seat between two people. I put on my headphones as usual and started to relax into my private thoughts. But, I couldn't help notice that the man sitting in the aisle seat next to me was ordering one drink after another. He wasn't sitting still but was squirming in his seat and seamed uncomfortable. I tried to ignore him!

I hoped sincerely, that he wouldn't talk to me. I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. I just didn't feel like talking to, or being bothered by, anyone!

“Speak to that man!”

Then I heard the Lord gently prompt me, “Speak to that man.” And I instantly thought, “No! I don't want to!!!! I tried to ignore that still small voice and tried to think about something else.

But, I heard it again!

“Speak to that man.” So, very reluctantly, I removed my headphones, looked right at the man and said, “How are you doing?” He said, “I don't know if you’ve noticed, but I am drinking a lot.” I said, “Well, yes, I did notice that you’ve been slamming them down. What’s up?”

He said, “I have been drinking a whole lot! My wife just left me and is filing for a divorce. I can't think, I can't sleep, and I'm about to lose my job because I can't concentrate on my work any more. My life is a mess! I need help but I don't know where to get it!”

I told Him my story

I said, “Actually, your story is very similar to mine. My life had been messed up, too, and I had also turned to alcohol.”

For the next few minutes I told him my story as he listened intensely. I told him how I had also struggled with alcohol and had one personal failure after another. Then I told him how I had prayed to receive Christ and how He had changed my life. I told Him that Jesus loved him, and had died on the cross for him, so that he could come into a personal life changing relationship with God. Then I asked him if he would like to receive that for himself. I then offered to pray with him. He said, “Yes, I would like that very much!” So, I prayed with him to received Christ.”

I was happy that I had finally obeyed God’s gentle prompting!

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Tim. 4:2)

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)