The Day God Spoke
One Sunday, in December of 1983, God spoke to me in an audible voice, changing the direction of my life. I was an 18-year-old Christian desiring more from the Lord but unaware of His plans for my life. That day God broke through the silence and called me to serve Him.
A friend invited my cousin and me to her husband’s water baptismal service. We arrived at their church, finding a spot to sit with my cousin, who was in a wheelchair. After the service began, I thought: “Oh no! Not one of those kinds of churches.” Their worship style brought back childhood memories of a church my family visited while on vacation in Florida. People danced, raised their hands, and spoke unintelligible words from the platform. One lady even ran through the aisle in front of me with eyes closed while speaking in a language I did not understand. That experience was scary when I was eight. So now here I was ten years later experiencing something similar, but I wasn’t scared this time. Instead, I was having a good time cautiously.
Finally, the pastor finished preaching and baptized my friend’s husband. I was happy for him and thrilled because now I could leave. As I was preparing to wheel my cousin out of the sanctuary, the pastor said: “Let’s pray.” So, I stopped and closed my eyes to pray. Suddenly I felt someone grab my right hand, raising and shaking it up high. I opened my eyes and saw it was an elderly lady speaking unintelligibly. It made me laugh. So, I took my cousin’s hand and began tickling. Since he couldn’t move, he whispered for me to stop. I directed his attention to what the lady was doing with my arm. He laughed, and then came the pastor’s “Amen.” I retrieved my hand and proceeded to exit, steering my cousin’s wheelchair into the foyer when suddenly, it happened.
A loud, clear voice said, “You Will Serve Me Here.”
I had never heard anything as profound as this voice, penetrating deep into my soul, and I sensed it was divine. In case I had imagined it since no one else was there, I asked my cousin if he heard anything. He answered, “Yes.” I stepped in front of him and saw his face was pale. I asked, “What did you hear?” He said, “You first.” So, I told him, “You Will…” and he completed the phrase, “Serve Me Here.” It was true. God spoke in an audible voice calling us to SERVE Him!
God calls us to become His Servants first. That is our Priority!
Have you answered this call?
