I Heard God, I Obeyed, and Nothing Was There

My mentor Lisa van den Berg is one of the most pastoral people I have ever met. She lives and breathes shepherding, caring for the heart of the one in front of her, seeking to deeply bless everyone she comes into contact with.

She likes to go on adventures with Jesus, and posts these as microblogs on her Facebook page. 

One of my favorites comes from July 19, 2019, reprinted here with permission.

JESUS: Lisa, will you come on an adventure with Me?

LISA: Yes, Lord.

JESUS: Let’s go and check the mail because I have something good for you.

LISA: Yay! OK, Lord!

I check the mailbox and it’s empty.

LISA: Lord, it’s empty. Why do You do that? I hear a prompting from You, I follow it in faith and then there’s nothing there. I’m already tired from a long walk and now I’m running late to get ready for work. It seems like a waste of time, and my hopes rise, only to be dashed. Please help me understand.

JESUS: There are two lies you believe that I want to set you free from … and an invitation to more.

• Lie 1: Every moment of my time has to be productive, otherwise I’m not stewarding my life well and I’ll be a disappointment to God.

• Lie 2: When I hear Jesus speak to me and I do what He asks, the outcome will be successful.

LISA: Yes, You’re right, I do believe those things. What is the Truth You see instead?

JESUS:

• Truth 1: I love you no matter what you “do” or “accomplish.” Period. Simply spend your everyday life with Me.

• Truth 2: Your definition of success is very different to Mine. Our trip to check the mail was successful in My eyes because I’m teaching you how to hear Me and do the things I ask, even when you don’t understand.

• Invitation to more: I’m developing your faith in Me regardless of whether the outcome looks successful to you or not. A time is coming when you’ll need it and I want to help you develop it now (Isaiah 55:8-9).

LISA: Wow, thank You for the way You love me. Thank You for breaking off the lies I believe and replacing them with Truth. I’ll go and check an empty mailbox with You anytime.

JESUS: Me, too. I love spending your life with you.

So good!

Lord Jesus, thank you for this precious example of how you gently guide and teach us, even when we feel a bit grumpy or confused or frustrated. Thank you that you want to free us from lies to walk in your truth.

I ask, Lord, that what you do for Lisa, you do also for us. Open our ears so that we can hear your voice, inviting us to adventures with you. May we be eager to exchange our lies for your truth. Speak to us clearly, and may we be ever more able to recognize you clearly. May we come to recognize more clearly the spontaneous thoughts that cross our minds, those which are so much more gentle, gracious, and kind than our own. Thank you for being in our lives. May we walk ever more closely with you. Thank you that you are able to do more than all we ask or imagine. In your holy and precious name, amen.

This is what we pray for, that you may become complete,

Amy Joy

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