“Achtung! Achtung!” The call came over the loud speaker, and everyone in Bethel Park Bible Camp stopped to listen. As hard as I listened, I only understood a couple of words – honey and $6. I knew the “honey man” had been at camp that morning, so I figured he must have been making his final offer before leaving camp.
This has been the way for me for the past three days. My husband has German parents and is fluent in the German language. I have heard enough of it over the years that I understand bits and pieces and then try to fit the rest together.
We are attending the German Heritage Camp this week. I sit in on the services as an exercise for the ears and brain. It is hard work! As long as my husband sits next to me and translates the main points of the sermon, I can usually figure out a good portion of the rest.
I have come in a little late this morning. I am sitting at the back, and my husband is far away. I must confess, without my helper close by, my attention has wandered. I have a niggling in the back of my brain where I feel the Lord speaking to my heart saying, “This is how you would feel if my Spirit were not in you every time you heard from my Word!”
The more I think about that, the more thankful I am for the Holy Spirit in my life. As we read God’s Word or hear His Word expounded to us, it would all sound like a foreign language without the Spirit of God illuminating it to us. We may understand a bit here and there and try to put it all together, but after a while, we would loose interest without the aid of our translator and counselor. The Holy Spirit makes clear to our hearts what God is saying to us and shows us how to apply it to our lives. However, He goes a step further than my husband does. He turns to us occasionally, looks us in the eye, and says, “This is for you! Listen up!”
Do you feel like God is speaking a foreign language to you? Are you frustrated because nothing seems to speak to you and your life? Let me make a suggestion to you. Ask the Holy Spirit to sit a little closer to you. Ask Him to whisper in your ear as you read or listen. Tune your ear to hear his voice and open your heart to receive.
Paul explained it to the Corinthians in this way. “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory … But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” (I Cor. 2:7-10)
Just listen. The Spirit is trying to get your attention! “Achtung! Achtung!”
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I really enjoy a lot of your writing, Donna! I love the practical way the Lord speaks to you through every day circumstances of life! This is another winner. :) I would like to use some of your writing on my website: www.rebeccalivermore.com if you are open to it. Please check out my website and then email me at rebecca@rebeccalivermore.com . Blessings to you!
