Oregon Ministry Network

A Late Night Flat Tire

It was 10:30pm and I was driving home from Eugene with my two older girls.  I was too tired to be driving, and I got to the point where I just couldn't keep going.  I had this weird feeling,  it was almost an urgency to stop, so I decided I would take the next exit.  When I pulled off the exit I realized that I had arrived at the State police station.  So you would think I would get a clue, but no I just decided to let my daughter, who is learning to drive, drive the rest of the way home.

We got back on the freeway about 1/4 of a mile down the road, when the car started to sway back and forth.  It wasn't long before we all figured out that what we had was, a flat tire!  So there we were, three girls, late at night, with a flat tire on a very dark and scarry freeway. 

Immediately, I realized that I had missed what the Lord had been trying to tell me.  He had tried to warn us, to protect us, to provide for us, but somehow I had missed it.  Have you missed his warnings?  This experience made me question what we can we do to recognize the warnings of the Lord and avoid many of the hard times we face because we missed his voice?

   Be in tune- a lot of time we hear Him, but there is a little static from our lives and we don't hear clearly

   Be in the word - His word was provided as our guide, the wisdom we need and the warnings are clear

   Trust the Holy Spirit - if you are in the word and prayer, Don't question the Holy Spirit's guidance           

   Act on what you hear.  "My sheep listen and follow me"

The story of Samuel comes to mind, when I think of recognizing the voice of God.  Three times Samuel heard the Lord, but thought it was someone else.  Then in 1Samuel 3:9, Samuel responds to the Lord, "Speak Lord, for your servant in listening."  Finally, Samuel tuned in, listened to the Holy Spirit and Acted on what he heard.  Let's be quick to listen as James 1:19 encourages us and perhaps we won't be out Late at night with a flat tire!

Scriptures that guide:

"Hear, O my people, and I will warn you—
       if you would but listen to  me, O Israel!"  Psalm 81:8

"These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

 "Everyone should be quick to listen" James 1:19

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."  John 10:27,28