by David Scott Robertson
For almost one full year I had been planning on going on a mission trip to Indonesia.
I had prayed about it,
And felt very strongly that I had heard that
Still, small voice of the Holy Spirit in my heart gently calling me to go.
In addition to an overwhelming sense of peace,
I got the support
Of my family & pastor, time off work, financial issues settled
And other logistics falling neatly into place.
About one month prior to departure, it was “pop quiz” time.
In typical style,
The assault came on the battlefield of my mind,
Playing on my fears –
Intimidation about being away from work so long, and other subtle deceptions.
To make a long story short,
I thought it was a good idea to bail out of the mission trip.
I had thought, reasoned and concluded that it was best for me to stay.
There was only one problem –
I did not inquire of the Lord.
I think now I know how Moses must have felt
The day after he struck the rock twice instead of once like God commanded (Numbers 20:11).
I think I know what Jonah must have felt like
As he set sail for the wrong port (Jonah 1:3).
I think I know how Joshua might have felt
As he got conned by the Gibeonites
After failing to inquire of the Lord, concerning their true identity (Joshua 9:3-14).
I learned from my failure that I would rather endure a root canal without anesthetic
Than experience the conviction of God’s Holy Spirit.
As a result of my decision to cancel
The mission trip, my airplane ticket and so on…
I was absolutely miserable.
Were you to have asked my family,
I was more than miserable:
I was intolerable.
It was as if the Lord spoke to my heart,
“You have no right to call off what you didn’t call on.”
I repented, and by God’s grace, within 24 hours was back on track to go.
The lesson learned: -
Inquire of the Lord!
Keep God in the loop of your life.
Pause, pray, obey.
Stop, look, listen.
Ask WWJD and linger long enough for an answer from on high.
DSR, September 11, 1998