Does Father still use visions and give directives today? It seems like they happened all the time in the book of Acts. At that time people followed them.
Maybe we just aren't listening.
This thought was posed during supper tonight has caused me to
think about what it means to hear and follow the voice of the Spirit. Hang with
me while I attempt to paint a picture of the context I'm coming from.
Several days ago for lunch I decided to visit our campus’
version of Chick-fil-a. I always order the same thing, a chicken sandwich which
I point to and attempt to say “chicken sandwich” (in Chinese) and I point to
the potato smiles (they don’t have fries). In my limited understanding of their
exuberant, yet condescending shouting of Chinese and dramatic pointing and
gesturing, I believe they think I am quite strange for ordering this
combination.
Normally, a grandmother and her grown son run the shop
(sometimes the little grandson is around too looking into the fryers at
eye-level). However, the other day it was only the grandmother. She managed to
communicate to me that the bill would need to be charged in two separate deductions
(one for the sandwich: 9 yuan, one for the potato smiles: 5 yuan). Since
apparently 14 yuan couldn’t be charged in one bill. (Don't waste your one 'why' question!)
Okay, I thought, that’s not a big deal.
--- As a side note, I don’t always eat Western food. It’s my
treat as a pick-me-up on tough days. ---
Being her only customer of the morning (as I was ordering my
meal before the lunchtime rush) one of the ladies, a dishwasher, walks into the
little shop (it’s literally in the crevice underneath a stairwell). She begins
to shout/yell Chinese at me (as if speaking louder helps me understand more … it
doesn’t). Her hands are flying to-and-fro as she discusses something about me
with the Chick-fil-a grandma. They keep pointing to me, my backpack and my
shoes. I’m at a loss for Chinese words to tell them. All I can understand is I’m
doing or have done something wrong or I’m dressed in a manner that doesn’t meet their
standards or I …
I kept thinking, ‘Man, how long will it take for the oil to
heat up so the chicken can cook. The light for the fryer doesn’t even look like
it’s turned on. I feel awkward, ashamed, judged …. I’m wearing my winter coat,
I have it completely zipped up (even though it’s technically above freezing at
noon). I’m still wearing a pair of long-johns (but they can’t see them). Oh, and
I’m wearing my cute dress socks (because sometimes you just need a pick-me-up
when you’ve had a couple tough days) and my comfortable flats because after
standing for 6 hours a day my legs hurt if I haven’t been wearing good shoes.’
I'm still not sure what they were trying to tell me that day.
(I think maybe it had to deal with them thinking I didn’t have on warm enough
shoes since they could see my socks).
Why do I share this story and how does it connect to the question posed at the beginning of this post?
Well, I think the Spirit is speaking. And maybe, we are even
hearing His voice. But, hearing alone doesn’t always cut it. I can hear Chinese
all day long, but it doesn’t mean I understand what people are saying. Does this make me stupid? Well, sometimes I
feel stupid and illiterate. But, I don’t believe I’m stupid. I simply haven’t
learned the language to listen, speak, read and write it fluently. I can
understand simple phrases and instructions, but if you add any details I'm lost.
So, how do we learn the language He speaks?
I believe learning a language requires:
A) Availability –
I need to be available, willing and desiring to learn. A teacher can teach all
day, but if the student doesn’t want to learn then they won’t learn.
B) Intimacy – I
have to immerse myself in the presence of the language and thus the presence of
the one speaking the language. This is often intimidating!
C) Willingness to
take risks – To learn a language just for the sake of saying I’m bilingual
doesn’t seem to serve a purpose unless I’m willing to use the language I learn.
For Chinese, if I learn a new phrase such as, “You are a good cook” it’s
important for me to share it with the person who’s a good cook as a word of
encouragement. For communication with the Spirit, I think it’s important for it
to be glorifying to Father and edifying to the Body. Using a new language is risky business, but necessary if we hope to
improve in fluency.
“This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah…’” – Matt. 13: 13-14a
I don’t claim to be fluent in other languages. But I wish to
be. I want to hear and understand the words others share.
