Core scripture: “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

Message: Her smile told me something as she raised her hand.  This was about a month ago, and one of my 8^th grade girls asked how I knew God was speaking to me.  The smile made me realize she was probably trying to question my sidebar comment a bit, but behind that smile was a sweet girl who really wanted to know something deeper.

How DO you know when God is speaking to you?  How does He speak to you?  Do you hear a booming voice from above that sounds like Morgan Freeman?  Do you feel nudges?  Does He speak to you through music?  Through the Bible?  Through interactions with others?  Through prayer? How do you know what He wants from you?

These are all legit questions!  I answered the girl as best I could.  Her question took me a bit by surprise, and I am unsure if I addressed it the right way, but I basically told her I felt nudges from God to do something.  She nodded, and the lesson continued, but it makes me wonder now …

What in the HECK is God doing in my life? 

I do not pretend to know it all, and to even begin to think that I know what the Big Guy Upstairs is doing, that is just wrong.  I fully believe God knows things I don’t have a clue about.  This is proven in Isaiah 55:8-9 where God says, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

I want to try something creative today.  A conversation between me and God.  These are honest questions I have about what He is doing in my life right now.  I will reply with a viewpoint on what He MIGHT be teaching me.  This could be fun, right?  Just my creative juices flowing.  Here goes nothing …

Me: Lord, are you there?

God: Been here the entire time, Clint.  Yesterday, today, and forever.  What’s up?

Me: Dumb question!  Sorry, Lord.  I know I can come to You anytime.  Soooo, I have some … uh … questions to ask you.

God: You mean you are starting to wonder why you are out of work for the second time in two years? 

Me: Well … yeah! 

God: Clint, you did nothing wrong.  You know that, don’t you?

Me: Sure, I know that.  But … why?  Why am I out of work?

God: Because of My plans for you.    

Me: What plans?  Can’t You tell me what You are doing?

God: Now, Clint, what fun would that be if I told you everything? 

Me: Yeah, I get it. 

God: I am providing for you.  Am I not?

Me: Well, sure, you are providing me with work.  Thank you, by the way, for the job at Amazon.

God: Of course!  You have a week and a half to get ready for that.  You can talk to me anytime about it, too.

Me: How about … uh … now.  Why Amazon, Lord?  Why the midnight shift from 1:20 am to 11:50 am?  Won’t that be hard to adjust my sleep schedule?  And what about missing church?  And F3?  And …”

God: Clint, can I stop you?

Me: Well, sure.  I mean, you are God, so I am pretty sure You could stop me if You wanted to.

God: My power works best in weakness.

Me: Touche.

God: Anything else?

Me: Ummmm … why now, Lord?  Why are you getting me out of teaching?

God: Because I have bigger plans for you.  Bigger than you could ever imagine.

Me: Okay, that sounds really cool and all, but … what about those students I enjoyed teaching so much?  The teachers I enjoyed working with? 

God: What about them?  You loved them, didn’t you?

Me: Yeah, I did!  So, why did you take them away from me?  Couldn’t that have waited at least one school year?

God: Clint, I ask this in the most loving way … Are you questioning My timing?  Again?

Me: Well … yeah.

God: You gave your heart to teaching while you could, but I need you now.

Me: Now?

God: Now.

Me: Why me?

God: Because you are a masterpiece of my creation.  You are beautifully and wonderfully made.  You have a caring heart, a burning desire to impact others, and I need you to leave teaching.

Me: Are you sure?

God: I am positive, Clint.  I can use you so much more abroad.

Me: But how?  Where?  Why?

God: Once again, what fun would that be if you knew everything.  It is called faith, Clint.  I am growing your faith in Me now.

Me: I feel closer to you now than ever, Lord!

God: But before the rooster crows three times, you will deny me.

Me: WHAT???

God: Nah, I was just messing with you.  Your faith is spot on.  Thanks for trusting in me with all your heart.

Me: Whew!  Okay.  You had me there for a second.

God: Did you think I lack a sense of humor?  Come on, Clint!  Don’t take the world so seriously.

Me: But let’s get back to serious, Lord.  How can I be used by You?  Today?  Like now?

God: I love when you ask me that question, Clint.  Why don’t you ask it more often?

Me: Uhhhhhh …

God: You should be asking me that every day.

Me: Uhhhhhh …

God: But to answer your question, Clint, you are doing exactly what you need to be doing right now.

Me: What is that?  Writing on my blog?

God: You got it.  Writing is therapeutic for you.  I am going to make you into a writer, Clint.

Me: I like that idea, Lord.  I can already begin to see Your work there.

God: Yes, and you have a week and a half before you begin working at Amazon.  So, what do you think you should be doing between now and then?

Me: Playing golf?

God: Clint …

Me: Napping?

God: Are you trying to be funny?  You are a sad creature.

Me: I know, I know.  You want me to write.  So, I will.  I will write whatever You need me to. 

God: You can start by writing a text message to your beautiful wife and let her know you love her and are looking forward to seeing her at conferences in a few hours.

Me: YOU ARE GOOD!

God: People say that sometimes.  I am indeed good.

Me: You are good all the time.  All the time, You are good!

God: Stop being so cliché.  Anything else, Clint?

Me: Ummm … let me think.

God: Come on!  I am here!  You can ask me anything.

Me: How many licks DOES it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a Tootsie Pop?

God: Seriously?

Me: No, figuratively.

God: The world will never know.

Me: I thought so!  God, you are so awesome.  Thank you for being there for me.

God: You are quite welcome, Clint.  Anytime!

Me: One more thing, Father …

God: Yes, Clint?

Me: Well, I know this has been a crazy two weeks and everything, but I … I … I love You.  I trust You with all my heart, and I am leaning on Your truth.  I know You are the Way.  The Truth.  The Life.  You are the Alpha, the Omega, the Great I Am.  You are worthy of my praise, and I will sing your praises forever. 

God: Thank you, sweet child.  Good luck to you at conferences tonight.

Me: Oh, you mean from the parents’ side?

God: Yes, from the parents’ side.  Your boys love you, and they need your support.

Me: Of course, God!

God: Thank their teachers for their hard work.  You know how hard their job is. 

Me: Of course, Lord!

God: Now, lay your head down.

Me: Huh?

God: Rest.

Me: You want me to rest?  Is this a trick?

God: Not at all.  You will perform better later if you rest now. 

Me: Can I play one round of Mini Golf King first?

God: Okay, I will grant you one round.

Me: How about two?

God: Don’t push your luck. 

Me: Okay, okay.  Hey, Lord?

God: Yes, Clint?

Me: Thanks.  Thanks for everything. 

God: You are welcome.  Well done, good and faithful servant. 

Me: Aren’t You supposed to say that to me later?

God: I can say that as many times as I want to.  Rest now, child.

Me: Thank you, Lord.