Don't Miss the Moose

How long does it take you to say “yes” when you hear God’s voice? When you sense the Holy Spirit is prompting you to do something, how long is the lag between understanding it and doing it? I know there are times when we don’t hear clearly, but right now we’re talking about those things that are crystal clear, but we fight it for some reason.

'Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” '

(Isaiah 30:21 NIV)

I want to share a brief story about my own challenge in this area. And how if I had “argued” with that voice just 10 seconds more I would have missed something special that God had for me.

Last month I took a trip to northern Idaho. I visited a place I had been to 20 years ago, almost to the day. I always wanted to take my wife there – we spoke about doing so often – but for various reasons, we never made it. So, when I was trying to decide somewhere special to go to celebrate our anniversary – the first with me still here, and her in her heavenly home with Jesus – it became an obvious choice.

The first time I visited I had some very deep, spiritual encounters. It was a “thin place” for me. And in the weeks after I returned home, several life-changing events took place. (Longer stories for another time, maybe.) I always knew those events were related to my time in Idaho and my encounter with God.

Back to this trip. It was the morning of my first full day there. Let’s just say I wasn’t completely in my “fully yielded to the Holy Spirit” mode quite yet. I was a little tired. A little nervous about being by myself so far from home. Still concerned about some things back in Georgia. Y’all understand those things, I’m sure.

Anyway, I was visiting an old Mission that had been built in the 1850’s by Catholic missionaries, to help introduce the local Indians to Jesus. It was high up on a ridge with an amazing view of the surrounding area. I took in the view – it really was awe inspiring. I walked some of the trails. I toured the chapel (which happens to be the oldest standing structure in Idaho.) Checked out the Visitors Center. I did all the things. Checked all the boxes of, “what to do while visiting a new place.” It was a really nice visit and I was so glad I took the 40 minute drive from where I was staying to see it. I was done now though, and it was time to drive back to the hotel.

Or so I thought. As I walked toward my rental car I heard God’s voice in my head and my spirit, and the following conversation took place.

“What are you doing?”

“Um, I’m walking back to the car.”

“Why?”

“I’m going to drive back to the Hotel.”

“Why?”

Long pause on my part here. I was starting to see where this was headed.

“You’re probably never going to be in this place again. You know how beautiful it is here! Walk back up to the top of that hill and take in that view again. You have nothing else planned for the day, what else better do you have to do?”

(Sidenote – I find that the longer I take to be obedient to His voice, the more words He uses and the more convincing – and convicting – they become.)

After His points were made, I found it really hard to come up with an argument against His suggestion, rather, His direction and His plan.

So, up the hill I went. In the couple of minutes it took, I realized that this probably wasn’t a terrible idea. (Big of me, right?)  When I got to the ridge, I sat on the bench that was there and looked around. I’m not too proud to admit I still wasn’t 100% on board.

“Okay, I’m here God. What do you want me to do?”

No response.

“I know, I’ll write in my journal”. I always have a journal with me when I travel to write down whatever may need to be captured and not forgotten. As I reached for it in my pocket, though, I discovered this wasn’t part of His plan.

“No, don’t write now. Don’t DO anything. Just be.”

Would you think less of me if I told you I let out a bit of a sigh at that point?

I then took another deep breath, just to relax. That’s when I looked up, and out in the field, in the little valley in front of me, there it was. A moose. A MOOSE! About 100 yards away, hustling across the open field back into the woods. I tracked him for maybe five seconds. I have to tell you though, that five seconds was one of the highlights of my five days in Idaho.

For the next half hour and most of my trip back to the hotel I kept saying out loud, with joy and a little surprise, “I saw a moose!” Then I started thinking about how I almost missed it. How, because of wanting to put my own plan before His plan and struggling to make the switch from my way to His way, I nearly missed a blessing that He had for me. God knew that Moose was going to be running through that field at that exact time, and He wanted me on top of that hill to see it. Why? Because God gives good gifts, and He knew the gift that it would be for me to see it.

So, what’s the point? Maybe seeing a moose wouldn’t be a big deal to you. In many ways, this isn’t about the moose. It’s about being obedient. It’s about trusting God. It’s about saying no to our ways and saying yes to His ways. And when you do so, there is a reward, a gift, a blessing to be had. I don’t want you to miss it. God doesn’t want you to miss it! He wants to bless you through your obedience – let Him!

Where have you been hearing but not obeying?

What is it you know He wants you to do, but you’ve been procrastinating?

What are you holding on to and not fully surrendering?

It’s time to just do it!

Don’t miss the moose!!!