Obedience in the Busy

Each morning, I often ask the Lord what He was me to do for that day. Some days, it's VERY obvious. Other days, I just go about the day as best as I can in faith that I'm doing the right thing.

A few weeks ago, I was invited to speak at Northside Baptist Church in Vicksburg. It was a day where I'd find myself traveling for hours as I had to be in 3 different cities in one day. 

When I arrived, I was greeted by several women who met me with warm hearts and offered to pray over me before I spoke in front of a sanctuary filled with women. 

One of the women told me about a gentleman in their church who was so upset he wouldn't be there as other men were on site to serve the ladies lunch after my speech. "He's been diagnosed with a horrible illness and fell yesterday," she said. "He spent all night in the emergency room because be broke his shoulder and he REALLY wanted to be here." We talked on a bit more about him and his health struggles. "Would you be willing to make a short video telling him hello?" she asked. "I'll send it to him and I know it would make his day!"

I heard in my spirit at that moment: Go visit him in person.

In that instant, I knew exactly where that prompting came from. It was from the Holy Spirit.

But I must admit, my day was already planned. Not only was I speaking in Vicksburg, but I had to be in Clinton shortly after and then travel to Biloxi for an event later that afternoon. It was going to be a tiring day and now the Holy Spirit was telling me: Go visit him in person.

After speaking to the crowd and getting more hugs (and taking countless photos), I drove to the hospital to visit Mr. Butts who was surprised to see me walk through his hospital room door. "It's raining outside, so I thought I'd bring some sunshine into your room!" I smiled as I walked in.

The shock on his face was priceless! His two daughters were in the room with him as I sat next to his bed and heard all about his injury and how sad he was to miss the event at the church. We laughed and visited for a bit longer as one of his daughters took our photo together. 

For that moment in time, Mr. Butts forgot about his own injury and illness.

John 15:10 says, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

Abiding in God's love requires obedience to His voice.

I don't know what God has planned for you today, but be prepared to be obedient if He requests you to do something in your already jam-packed schedule.