There are so many voices competing for our attention in life: the voices of our parents, friends, neighbors, church family, podcasts, TikTok, Instagram, and more. Some voices are so loud. They can be so distracting.
It is hard to learn to listen to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit, especially when we have the voices of so many others so readily available to us.
The prophet Elijah also had to contend with the struggle of hearing others' voices while trying to serve God. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah was afraid and hiding. God asked Elijah, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Then God told him, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."
As Elijah waited, a "great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart." Then there was an earthquake, then a fire. The LORD was not in any of those things. After the fire came a gentle whisper. That was where the LORD was. That was when Elijah heard God ask again, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
Just like Elijah, there are times when I have tried to serve the Lord. Then something happens, and I feel afraid. So I imagine running away. I strategize how I can back out of whatever situation I've committed to. I decide whatever it is the Lord has asked me to do is just too costly. Or the cost is something I've decided is off-limits. I believe I simply do not have what is required of me to serve the Lord in this way. So I make an exit plan. I make my case to the Lord, and I ask to be let off the hook.
When the Lord asked Elijah what he was doing, both times Elijah gave the same answer. He said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too." The outside voices were loud and intimidating. Elijah got scared, and he ran away. He was tired. He was afraid. He probably believed he simply did not have what it took to do what God had asked of him.
There are many stories in the Bible where others believed the same. I can also remember many instances in my life when I have believed the same. I feared I just didn't have what it took. The task looked too big. The cost too high. The fear inside me was greater than my desire to serve the Lord.
Many potential foster and adoptive parents also struggle with the voices of fear and doubt when they consider becoming foster or adoptive parents. They are afraid of judgment, isolation, and not being enough for the children who will enter their home. They think and pray about foster care and adoption. They ask questions and then think and pray a little more. Many times, three years can go by before a step is taken. The fear, doubt, and uncertainty can seem so overwhelming. So intimidating.
These fears are understandable. But while many families wrestle with the decision, children continue to wait. There are currently 1,099 children in foster care in Allen County. There are 264 licensed foster homes in Allen County and 224 children living with a licensed foster parent. There are also 402 children in foster care being cared for by an unlicensed relative. You might wonder, where are the remaining children? If a foster home is not found in a child's county of residence, the child can be placed outside the county. So not only does the child lose the home and family they know, they also lose their school, neighbors, friends, and community.
You probably have driven past signs saying more foster parents are needed. You maybe have wondered if that is true. Maybe you've even prayed about becoming a foster or adoptive parent. Maybe fear and doubt have held you back from taking a step.
Thankfully, God is loving, tender, and gracious. He meets us in our fear. He knows we are weak. He also tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thankfully, serving God does not depend on our strength.
When we remember that and choose to step out in faith, our trust in the Lord grows a little more. The fears, pressures, and costs do not automatically disappear, but when our eyes are on our Savior, those things aren't quite as intimidating. When we look to our Savior, more is possible because the pressure of figuring it all out or making it all work is no longer ours. We have the opportunity to experience the freedom of taking one step at a time, resting in the guidance of the Alpha and the Omega, the God who created all things. Resting in the knowledge that He is God and we are not. Resting in the assurance that He is a good God—and He is also good at being God.
Learn more about True Vine, Pathway's Adoption and Foster Care Ministry, HERE.
It is hard to learn to listen to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit, especially when we have the voices of so many others so readily available to us.
The prophet Elijah also had to contend with the struggle of hearing others' voices while trying to serve God. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah was afraid and hiding. God asked Elijah, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Then God told him, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."
As Elijah waited, a "great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart." Then there was an earthquake, then a fire. The LORD was not in any of those things. After the fire came a gentle whisper. That was where the LORD was. That was when Elijah heard God ask again, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
Just like Elijah, there are times when I have tried to serve the Lord. Then something happens, and I feel afraid. So I imagine running away. I strategize how I can back out of whatever situation I've committed to. I decide whatever it is the Lord has asked me to do is just too costly. Or the cost is something I've decided is off-limits. I believe I simply do not have what is required of me to serve the Lord in this way. So I make an exit plan. I make my case to the Lord, and I ask to be let off the hook.
When the Lord asked Elijah what he was doing, both times Elijah gave the same answer. He said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too." The outside voices were loud and intimidating. Elijah got scared, and he ran away. He was tired. He was afraid. He probably believed he simply did not have what it took to do what God had asked of him.
There are many stories in the Bible where others believed the same. I can also remember many instances in my life when I have believed the same. I feared I just didn't have what it took. The task looked too big. The cost too high. The fear inside me was greater than my desire to serve the Lord.
Many potential foster and adoptive parents also struggle with the voices of fear and doubt when they consider becoming foster or adoptive parents. They are afraid of judgment, isolation, and not being enough for the children who will enter their home. They think and pray about foster care and adoption. They ask questions and then think and pray a little more. Many times, three years can go by before a step is taken. The fear, doubt, and uncertainty can seem so overwhelming. So intimidating.
These fears are understandable. But while many families wrestle with the decision, children continue to wait. There are currently 1,099 children in foster care in Allen County. There are 264 licensed foster homes in Allen County and 224 children living with a licensed foster parent. There are also 402 children in foster care being cared for by an unlicensed relative. You might wonder, where are the remaining children? If a foster home is not found in a child's county of residence, the child can be placed outside the county. So not only does the child lose the home and family they know, they also lose their school, neighbors, friends, and community.
You probably have driven past signs saying more foster parents are needed. You maybe have wondered if that is true. Maybe you've even prayed about becoming a foster or adoptive parent. Maybe fear and doubt have held you back from taking a step.
Thankfully, God is loving, tender, and gracious. He meets us in our fear. He knows we are weak. He also tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thankfully, serving God does not depend on our strength.
When we remember that and choose to step out in faith, our trust in the Lord grows a little more. The fears, pressures, and costs do not automatically disappear, but when our eyes are on our Savior, those things aren't quite as intimidating. When we look to our Savior, more is possible because the pressure of figuring it all out or making it all work is no longer ours. We have the opportunity to experience the freedom of taking one step at a time, resting in the guidance of the Alpha and the Omega, the God who created all things. Resting in the knowledge that He is God and we are not. Resting in the assurance that He is a good God—and He is also good at being God.
Learn more about True Vine, Pathway's Adoption and Foster Care Ministry, HERE.
Posted in True Vine Tuesdays