Follow Your Father’s Voice
I stood completely still, quietly waiting - which is a rare occurrence for a seven year old farm kid. But somehow, I was able to put aside my desire for hurried adventure. I knew for this game, stillness was my key to victory.
After running deep into the field and spinning in circles to throw off my sense of direction, I was surrounded by a sea of drying corn stalks and a farm lit only by moonlight. As the silence was broken by crickets and rustling corn, I listened carefully to hear my directions. Off in the distance, I could hear a voice coming from the porch.
“Follow your father's voice” it echoed across the hillside.
It took a careful ear to pick out the words, but I knew that voice. It was familiar and safe. A voice that would lead me out of the maze (pun intended). A few steps towards the sound and then another pause to listen...“Follow your father's voice” I would hear again more clearly.
While running to find my way, I occasionally became aware of how dark the field was - that’s when the worry would creep in. What if I really do get lost? What if dad goes back in the house? Maybe I should run faster!
What eased my young mind was the reassurance of promises kept over time. I can’t count how many times we played this game, but each time my Dad promised never to leave the porch and he always kept that promise.
I slowed down to listen and sure enough, his voice called out again.
Before long, I would burst through the edge of the cornfield exclaiming “I MADE IT!” How quickly I forgot where credit was due.
I’m sure it was an entertaining sight to watch from the porch and I sure my mom wasn’t thrilled that I pretended to get “lost” and returned covered with bugs and dirt. But I loved this game.
These days, as I drive past fields of corn ready for harvest, I’m reminded that hidden in our game was a powerful lesson.
Sometimes I need to slow the hurry of life and get still to hear my Father’s voice.
In the context of our game, it was when I stopped running to find my own way that the rustling noise around me would settle and I could clearly hear the voice of direction.
When I stopped running to find my own way, the noise around me would settle and I could clearly hear the voice of direction.
I like to stay busy and I prefer feeling like I have everything under control. But in recent months, God has been teaching me the limits of my perceived control. While that has been a little scary, I’m reassured that just as my dad guided me carefully from the porch, I have access to a Father who has perspective, cares for me and knows the way.
It doesn't all depend on me.
I’m still learning to trust His voice, and sometimes I find myself in a “low-lit” season of life. But when I’m not sure which direction to go, I’m reminded of His promise that when I seek Him with my whole heart, I will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
I’m learning through the test of time that my Heavenly Father keeps His promises to me.
"Running" to make my life happen exactly how I want is noisy and exhausting. Sometimes I just need to slow down, get quiet and listen for my Father’s voice.
