Butler Newsletter for August-September 2010

August-September--Notes_On_the_Way_F8QHIDMZ.pdf

LISTENING TO THAT WOMAN’S VOICE…

Greetings to all this deep summer day,

They say that men won’t ask directions. Some say it’s the reason the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years when forty days would have sufficed for the journey.

 

I rather doubt that, but… by the time you read this, there’s a good chance this man will be asking for direction, and accepting it from the voice of a woman.

 

Not necessarily a real woman, mind you (computers can do such amazing things), nonetheless, an unmistakable woman’s voice.  She will say, “Prepare to turn right…” “Turn right now onto Interstate 90, and continue in the left lane.” ”Now follow the road…”  “Stay in the left hand lane and prepare to take exit 911 in two miles. … Now exit left…” And so on, and on, and on, all the way to Montana and back.

 

Those GPS units are just so helpful. “You’ve got mail?” No, you’ve got a satellite-based navigation system that searches out the best way to get you from where you are to where you need to go, and guides you in real space and time with clear and authoritative prompts. My GPS  came programmed to speak in a smooth-sounding, contralto-registered, computer generated female voice. Woman or no, it’s really relaxing to just follow directions!

 

How often I forget that I have a soul navigation system within me. It comes compliments of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit, John says, guides us into all truth. The Spirit, John says in his Gospel, reveals and reminds us of the things of Christ. The Spirit, Scripture teaches, is our Counselor, Guide and Interpreter.

 

So why, on so many days, do I wake up to share in God’s work and find myself doing all the heavy lifting? Why do I agonize over what must be done, over how to manage that intractable situation, over how to best lead or encourage or train or motivate? Oh, the strain of that. Oh, the stress and worry and burden of trying to discern God’s will.

 

All the while, the inner voice of God’s Holy Spirit is ready to give me authoritative guidance and direction, to keep me on a true course, to remind me of the things of Christ, to interpret all the confusing and conflicting signposts along the way. But I have to turn up the volume of the inner Voice - through prayer and stillness and listening – in order to receive the guidance.

 

Be still… and know that God is God. Be still and remember that God will direct your paths!

 

Pastors and lay friends, pray for me to listen to the inner Counsel of God’s Spirit. And I will pray for you! 

Dean D. Ziegler, District Pastor