maybe you're not talking to the right person

An old friend I used to do business with, George, aka Red, had been in the grocery business a long time.  An independent, he was well known throughout the west, and well respected.  He had passed on his code of hard work and fair trading to his son Ted, who at one time had the single largest grocery store west of the Mississippi.  But they were both very non-descript, meeting them you would never know how rich they were, and they never bragged on it.  Hardly ever.  But one day while making my sales call, I worked for Coca Cola, an overdressed young man was in looking for George.  He was with Dunn and Bradstreet, and wanted to update his file on him.  As George approached in his bib overalls, wiping his hands with his bandana, he asked the young man “can I help you?”  Looking down at Red, he asked for George, not knowing that the many who had walked by said hi to Red, and this old man in bib overalls and sweating was below his dignity.  I had been talking with him as he waited, Red and I exchanged hellos, as always, I could see Red baiting the young man.  When he stuck out his hand and said “I’m George,”  the group around him started to laugh, me included, but Mr. D&B found no humor in it.  If clothes made the man, his did, but not his respect or rudeness.  He couldn’t wait to get out of there, it never occurred to him that maybe he was talking to the right person, a lesson I hoped he learned.

When Ted wanted his own Wendy’s franchise, he called Wendy’s and asked how much.  He was ready to write the check.  All they wanted was a letter of credit stating he could cover the $800,000, no problem.  They wanted to talk to his bank, so Ted called out, “Hey Dad, Wendy’s wants to talk to you about my line of credit.”  And handed the phone to Red, they also owned the bank in this small area.  It pays to know who you are talking to.  And finally another old friend Tim was making a sales call to the Navajo Tribe.  He had gotten nowhere, but was willing to give it another try.  But along the way he stopped to help a girl broken down in the hot New Mexico sun, gave her a ride to town, and as he told her his story, she offered her assistance.  It turned out her father was the tribal president over the entire Navajo Nation!  Who was so grateful that Tim cared for his daughter, he opened up the door for all Tim was selling!  It helps to talk to the right person, something to consider, when in trouble or need of help, maybe you are not talking to the right person.

I tire of hearing how prayer changes things.  Answered prayer changes things, but in all cases it is God that changes things.  Just speaking into the cosmos without someone to listen is just that, talking to the cosmos.  But Jesus changes things, changes us, if we listen to his answer and obey.  Yet so many fall short of God’s blessings because all they do is ask, or pester, or continually berate the God of the universe with their demands.  Rubbing some spiritual lamp hoping that a genie will appear and grant them their desires.  And when he doesn’t, they blame God.  Sound familiar.  So why ask a question if you don’t want an answer?  Like this one, why?

In Acts we find two men walking and a third man joins them.  He seems to know all about them and their situations, then leaves them. Afterwards they talk, how their hearts burned from within in his presence.  How did he know so much, he was a stranger?  Could it possibly been the Lord?  Do you know his voice, he knows yours.  He also has the plans in action for whatever you ask, before you ask.  So why do you think that asking changes things, when it is God who does?  Did you know the last sense to fail us before death is hearing?  Did Jesus say “he who has a mouth let him speak?”  But rather “he who has an ear let him listen.”  A relationship with Jesus Christ changes things, and when you know his voice, and obey, he answers before you ask.  Or listen.  That’s the kind of God I desire, not a genie in a lamp.  Let him be God, he is so good at it.

Praying more and getting less?  Maybe you are not talking to the right person.  The Jews missed Jesus, he wasn’t what they were looking for.  Who are you looking for?  Is it possible that God is speaking to you via his spirit , that the burning in your heart is the holy spirit speaking to you?  Is he drawing you to him, or are you still too proud, as the one who shares Jesus with you is not a pastor?  Doesn’t have a DD behind his name?  Doesn’t have his own radio show or write books?  Are you looking for a personality or the person of Jesus Christ?  There is a difference.  Yet many when confronted with who they are looking for, get embarrassed, and storm off when they find the one they were looking for is and has been right in front of them.  Maybe they are more interested in the FICO score and line of credit, than the one who doesn’t even need cash, but creates his own.  Our paper money says “in God we trust,” do you?  If money talks, maybe the message is right there, trust God!  The answer before you asked.....

God sent his son to earth to save us, then sent his spirit until Jesus returns.  The same spirit that in the beginning gave the earth shape can shape your life too.  Maybe you are not talking to the right person, or  maybe you really aren’t listening.  God offers his spirit freely and of no charge, talking to you right now, telling you how you need Jesus.  God’s prayer, that all should come to the saving knowledge of knowing Jesus.  Answer his prayer today by coming to Christ.  He is speaking, are you listening?  Jesus Is not what you expect, he is much more.  When you understand who he is, you will understand why he came. 
Still want prayer to change things?  Maybe you’re not talking to the right person.  Don’t limit a limitless God by your prejudices.  God is love, what the world needs today and everyday.  Just ask anyone who has met Jesus, the burning in your heart may not bad pizza, but the holy spirit.  God doesn’t need credit, nor does he get enough credit.  He who answers the prayer before it is asked should get all the credit.  Still think prayer changes things?  Maybe you’re not talking to the right person....

love with compassion,

Mike

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