You know, the game you played as a kid – or the one your kids play now. The one where the ‘it’ person says, “green light” and the kids start running toward ‘it’; when the ‘it’ person says, “red light” the kids must stop immediately. If anyone is caught moving at this point, he/she will be out of the game. The goal is to touch the “it” person first.
Don’t laugh – but I’ve been playing that game for about 5 or 6 years now, just a little differently. I remember the day it all started when I got a ‘green light’ feeling from God. Out of nowhere I had this desire to speak to people about Him. Oh, I’m not talking about with my friends, or people in my small group, or even the cashier at the grocery store. I mean like standing on a stage, speaking to large groups of people, especially women. Encouraging them in the purposes God has for them as individuals, as part of the body of Christ, as women. Wow, surely I must be mistaken. This is such a big thing … I must be daydreaming. Whoa – ‘red light’. Red light = stop. Good, I’ll just stop and go back to reality.
Going back to reality was a good thing for me. It was great. It was comfortable. It was familiar. Our family was totally plugged in at church, involved in the community, connecting with friends and having a blast as a family. Life was good.
And then it happened again. You know what I mean, yes … ‘green light’. I remember one Sunday as I was listening to our Pastor as he gave a message that was so inspiring and I was so into it. All of a sudden I became someone else; Wow, I really like the way he made that point. I have got to remember that, maybe even write it down. Who said that? Looking around and realizing that the only one in this conversation was me, I struggled to regain my focus on the message. I jumped back onto what Pastor was saying, and was hooked again on his message. Hmmm … that’s an interesting approach, but I think I would have said … Okay now, who am I to critique this person in front of me? He is a great communicator, very seasoned, funny and effective. What am I doing? Of course my thoughts are racing everywhere now: this must be God, because it’s not a natural desire for me, it can’t be me so it has to be God. Then I heard the whisper of ‘green light’ again. Green light. There was my green light, and green light means – GO!
Have you ever gotten a ‘green light’ from God, and just weren’t sure if it was Him or you? Have you questioned the situation and issued your own ‘red light’? I know I have many times, and I am so thankful that God is full of mercy and grace, and He gives it freely. God wants us to hear Him clearly and know that we are on the right path, even if it means pausing to make sure we have heard Him. Just make sure you stay open to hearing ‘green light’ again, because if it is truly God, He will nudge you more than once.
