Obey God's Voice

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.

— Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (NIV)

I grew up in a time where social media and access to information was not so readily accessible as it is today. Fast forward to where we are right now as a globe, where we can gain information via multiple streaming services, online content, television, and a plethora of social media outlets. 

Although information can be very helpful, I have had to curtail the voices that I am listening to recently in order to truly hear what God has to say during these tumultuous times we are all facing. This is the first time in my lifetime where everyone is going through the effects of a pandemic and we are being forced to stay indoors and distance ourselves socially from others. This made me think, What can we do in this time of solitude and isolation? Then three words became so clear to me “Listen and Obey.” The key here is taking the time to sit with God each day. As Christians, we are being commanded to literally “be the church” beyond the barriers of walls, structure and tradition. And although God may seem distant, perhaps we can focus more closely on listening for God's voice during this time. Maybe God is speaking to us in such a still small voice, that we must also be still in order to receive it. Our one-on-one time with God silences and makes sense of the many other voices we may hear each day and as we continue to draw closer to God, God who is faithful and just will continue to speak to us.

Prayer: Dear God, Allow us to hear your voice above all others. Amen.

Natalie Ragland (Florida, USA)