The Whispers of God

“. . . My compass its…unique…This compass does not point North.”
“Where does it point?”
“It points to the thing you want most in this world.”
“Oh, Jack. Are you telling the truth?”
“Every word, love.”

Jack Sparrow in, “The Pirates of the Caribbean—Dead Man’s Chest,” doesn’t know what he wants most in the world. Jack couldn’t fool his compass; it whirled around to various things, but did not rest on anything.

If you had Jack’s “unique compass” where would it point?

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17, ESV)

I put a plate on my desk and placed a tea candle on top. Then I sat down to write. What were those things on my heart I needed to give to Jesus? They didn’t exactly pour out. Not because I couldn’t think of any, but rather I could think of too many. Eventually I decided to just write whatever came to mind and I’d just repeat this “burden burning” another day.

The first post-it filled quickly. Taking it by the corner I placed it over the flame, but just as I started to pray the flame engulfed the little paper with a “whoosh.” The heat hit my hand just as I dropped it on the plate. That was close! I grabbed my pen to write another.

I’m not at all sure what this note contained, my thoughts were more on the candle and how to avoid getting burned or burning the house down. But something interesting happened as I gingerly put this new list of troubles up to the flame—it didn’t go up in a flash—it began slowly consuming the edges all around. This time I gently set the note paper on the plate. That’s weird, it’s the same paper, same ink, same candle, and flame—why is it burning so differently?

As it continued to consume the edges I noticed there was about a one inch circle left on the plate…actually it looks like a cartoon balloon—one of those things cartoonist use to have their characters say something. Wondering if there were any words left on the note I peered over and read the only words which said, “give to.” Tears came. Who will I give my troubles, burdens, and cares to? To myself? To my friends? To my latest way of escaping them? Jesus said,

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, ESV)

Have I entered this rest of peace? I want to say no, but there have been times I’ve tasted this peace. I guess the only thing I can honestly say is—I think I’ll buy a fire extinguisher and a lot more post-it notes.

Yesterday a young man told me he had been reading a book that said you will be the same person ten years from now, except for what you read and the people you meet. There may have been more to this statement, but my mind began to wonder and consider that there was something wrong with that statement…I just wasn’t sure what.

This morning I began to see what was stirring in my heart when I heard that statement. Many things have an opportunity to change us. From the foods we put in our mouths, to the decisions we make today, and the trials or difficulties we face—and how we react to them. And, yes—the people we meet and the books we read, but more importantly—the amount we submit our lives to God. Why? Because as believers we know it is, “. . . God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13, ESV)

Only God is “the same yesterday and forever.” We need to change. To become like Him. Sometimes I think I know what this means—but often I realize I don’t. But He never stops working on me. In the next ten years my hope is to be changed by God—alone, and that this change would please Him.

Lord, Forgive me for allowing other people, circumstances, or things to change me and mold my thinking. Help me to submit to Your hand and be truly changed by You.