And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. ~ Isaiah 30:21
Most of us… if not all of us… have heard God’s voice. But often, we do not heed His words, because we do not realize who is speaking.
God speaks to us through His written Word – the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). He speaks to us through His chosen leaders who have different gifts (Romans 12:6-8). He speaks to us through difficulties – open and closed doors – lessons learned (Psalm 119:67-68). He speaks through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). He speaks through His creation (Psalm 19:1-2). Finally, God speaks through whatever or whomever He chooses (Job 33:14).
I was reminded of this yesterday. A young man rode his bicycle onto campus and hid in a breezeway seeking shelter from the rain. My administrative assistant and I went out to tell him that he was trespassing on private property and needed to leave.
In a whisper that I barely grasped. Instead of asking the young man to leave off campus, I invited him to come inside out of the rain. He walked with me under my umbrella dragging his bike along. He parked the bike at the entrance. I told him to have a seat in the lobby. Then as a seasoned introvert – totally out of character, I began a conversation with him.
His name was Xavier. He indeed was seeking shelter from the rain. He was twenty years old. He lived with his mom, and they split the rent. He worked at Wendy’s. He was on his way to the Smoke Shop to apply for a job. We talked about job vacancies at the academy. Things that he was interested in doing. I asked him about his faith.
Xavier told me that he and God were not on good terms lately. He said things were going bad right now. And he did not have a lot of faith. I asked him if he might be going down the wrong path and if God was trying to get his attention. I told him that if we do not hear God when He whispers. His voice gets louder and louder. I told him that God always put people in our path at unexpected times to help us. He asked what I meant by that.
I told him, many years ago, as a young teacher I enrolled in a master’s degree program and planned to start that summer. But my principal wanted me to teach summer school. I was full of anxiety. Fearful of losing my job if I told the principal that I could not teach summer school.
Then one ordinary spring day, I went to the post office. A former high school teacher was checking his mailbox as well. He asked me how I liked teaching. I told him about the dilemma that I was facing. He was confident that I should continue my education and gave me numerous reasons. I heeded his words – God’s words – and have never looked back.
The young man looked up at me and asked, “Like, what’s happening now with me coming here?”
I replied, “It might be.”
I invited Xavier to join a small art group that meets on Tuesday evenings. I had learned during our conversation that he liked music and art. He told me that he most likely would.
The academy’s dismissal bell rang. The rain had almost subsided. I walked Xavier out of the building. The campus was buzzing with activity. Teachers were outside monitoring. Some students were walking off campus. Others went to their cars. But most were standing around waiting to be picked up as parents slowly drove through the carline.
I watched Xavier ride his bike off campus, around the corner, and down the street.
I do not remember telling Xavier that Jesus loves him. I regret not telling him that. I pray that God blesses him beyond his expectations and continues to let him know that He is mindful of him.
God bless. . . I am Wiley’s granddaughter.
