John 16:25-28

²⁵ “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.

²⁶ In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.²⁷ No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.²⁸ I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

Coming from and going to the Father…

Hi! Thank you for taking the time to read this devotional. My name is Chile Anhut and I have been attending IPC since I was a toddler. When I read the above passage I was overwhelmed, because I have never heard God’s voice. Or that’s what I thought for a long time growing up. But after waiting for weeks, praying about it and putting off writing this until the last minute, I came to the realization that Jesus is speaking to me. Most of the time, at the time he is speaking, it is unclear what he is saying. But, after reflection, I realize that it is a crystal-clear message from God, that he wants me to do or say something. At the time these cryptic messages occur, it isn’t obvious what they mean, and sometimes I dismiss them as happenstance and do not think that they could be a message from God.

We experience similar things that the disciples experienced when Jesus spoke to them, the main difference is that Jesus, instead of speaking to us in person, speaks to us through the Bible and also through situations in everyday life. He puts us in situations where we are supposed to learn something, but often we only realize it much later. Sometimes in my life I look back on my experiences, or the road I have taken to get to where I am today, and everything was a building block to the person I am today, the good, the bad, the ugly.

I want you to look back on your life and see if there were any disadvantages or obstacles that came your way, where you thought, “Why, God?” or, “Why me?” that turned out to be an advantage later, or that opened a door for a unique opportunity. God often, if not always, gives us challenges, so that we may overcome them, grow and receive his blessings.

On top of already speaking to us through these challenges and situations, he promises that the day will come when he will speak to us directly and clearly. What a terrifying thought. Imagine standing in front of God as he scrutinizes everything in your life! Now I am starting to understand what people mean when they talk about the fear of God.

But what a fortunate people we are because all God wants us to do is to love Jesus boldly and unabashedly and believe that Christ is the Son of God.

Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for giving us your Word to live by, learn from and that we can get to know you. We pray that you give us the courage to remain steadfast and to continue to love you through easy and difficult times. And that when the day comes, we may enter your kingdom with glory in our hearts. Amen.