Did You Hear Him? | Genesis 39 | Crossroads Daily

I remember I was going up for sentencing and they had offered me six years and I remember talking to God. I'm like, God, I'm in handcuffs on my way to the courtroom. I'm like, God, I got faith now. You know what I mean? I've got faith, Lord. Like, why do I still have to go through with this? Like, I've got faith, God, like, I'm turned from that, God, like, do we still have to go through with this? Why do I have to go? And I just kept repeating. I got faith. I got faith. And so subtly I heard in my spirit, yeah, but you don't have obedience. And it was like, it was one of those moments where I am sitting in the awe of like hearing God's voice. Like, what was that? Because it wasn't audible. It was just a knowing in my heart. And I'm like, so it's like this awe of like, that was God. So I'm in awe of that. But then I'm also disappointed at what he just said, because I'm like, you have no rebuttal. You know what I'm saying? Like, what do I say? I'm going to be obedient. Like, what do you say to that? Right? Like, and it's just, and that was one of those like defining moments where it was like, wow, I'm about to have to go walk down this six ball, man. Like, this is, this is what it is.

This is the Crossroads Daily. No experts, no perfect people, just honest conversations about what happens when the Bible shows up in real life. Hey, I'm Chuck. I'm Jamie. I'm Kirsten. I'm Miko. And I'm Joseph. We are back in to Joseph and the long in-between, like there's this just long in-between in his life. Favorite part. Yeah, right. Relatable part, right? You know? Man, listen. Man. And so as we think about his example, like it's informative for our example, like what does it look like to actually be faithful in the waiting? So let's just start here. Talk about a time when you've actually experienced the presence of God most powerfully. And I'll go first. I don't know if I've shared this with you guys, but, you know, people talk about hearing the audible voice of God. I've only heard the audible voice of God one time. And I actually heard God laugh. That's what I heard. So I was in a silent retreat, which I've done many times. And, you know, I had been there for a couple of days. And so there's just a quietness that you have.

And in the morning, I was getting up, go to the bathroom, you know, first thing, wake up, go to the bathroom. And I like, I don't know why I forgot the layout of the room, but I like ran into the wall, bumped into the wall. And I literally heard God laugh in that moment. And the thing that it taught me was like, God is so present in the mundane, like, hit the wall. And it was like, gosh, man, how many? So anyway, it just really, really spoke to me. And here's why I share that, because what I learned about God in that moment has stuck with me. And I can lean on that when I come to difficult times to know that this is the God who knows me so well that he laughs with me. And so that's what I learned about God. So I'd love for you to share, like, where's a time where you've encountered the presence of God? And what did it teach you about God that you can still hold on to today? I have a moment that's coming to mind that kind of ties both this idea of waiting and hearing from the Lord. So I went to high school camp. I was leading a group of high school girls for our church. And my little brother was going, which was a really big deal, because he actually got in some trouble at school, like he was expelled and was going to go. He like went to court for a bunch of stuff and ended up not having to go to prison. But this is a season following all of that. And he got to come to high school camp, which was amazing. And I remember worshiping during one of the sessions and hearing a voice like, I don't think, I don't know, hearing the audible voice of God is something that you hear something that's not yours. And if it's not your voice, I don't know, I kind of like, that's God to me.

And I heard and it was not my voice, like, watch me do it again. And I remember just like falling to my knees and weeping, because something else that's really cool about hearing from God in that way is I also had an instant download of what that meant, what it was going to be. And so I heard, watch me do it again. And I knew instantly it was like, he's talking about my brother, he's talking about how he saved my life through my faith in me surrendering to him, and that he's going to do the same work in my brother. That's good. Yeah, there was a full knowing. Yes. Immediately. I was like- That's a good clue of like when God's speaking. Yes, because I don't think that fast. I am like too ADHD for that kind of stuff. But I just knew, and my brother comes running up to me at the end of this worship set and is like, sis, sis, I'm going to get baptized. Like, will you baptize me? And I'm like, ah, it was just like so beautiful. And so we baptized him and it was awesome. Like he was on fire for a while. And since then he's totally like turned from his faith in God and Christianity, like practicing. Like, I think he like believes in God, but he's not matching his actions where his faith was then. And I just roll my eyes because I'm like, watch me do it again.

That's exactly me. I like, I gave my life to Jesus and I was like, but I don't want to like change my life to show that. Yeah, exactly. And so I'm like currently in this place of waiting, of like, I know you're going to do it. You told me you're going to do it. I heard you and I believe that. And like, we'll see when it happens. So encountering God that way in worship has given you a confidence that he's going to keep his word. Oh yeah, I believe it. Even if the circumstances aren't matching that right now. It's not pointing that direction by any means. Jamie, Mico, yeah. First, I just, I love, like that's one of my favorite conversations and hearing about like how people experience God or how people hear from God. In my own life, like hearing that has also grew my faith in ways to also be able to experience God in a similar way. Like that was something that I leaned into very early in my walk. Like I would talk to somebody and they would share how God speaks to them or how they encountered God. And I'm like, God, I want that. You know what I mean? And it's like, so, and with that,

I think it's just increased my faith. And then I've then in return, like experienced God in those ways that I had faith that he would show up in. So, and then he just, he laughed with you. I'm like, bro, like of all the ways, right? Of all the ways, that's how we decided to show up in that story. But- There's a church father that says we were born out of the laughter of the Trinity. And I think that's the other thing that that moment communicates to me. It's like, God, what is God? He is supremely happy. He is supremely joyful. Yeah. And out of the overflow of that joy, that's how he has a relationship with us. I love that. That should be a shirt. Yeah, right. I love that, man. I'm reminded of, there's a number of different times when I've either had some just experiences with God or encounters. But I think very early on, like one of my first ones is one that, I don't know if I'm allowed to share it now.

And this is when I was actually, I was being sentenced when I was going to prison. And like, I was like, for the first time, like embracing my faith walk as an adult, right? Like so much of it has just been what my mom poured into me as a child. And now it's like, okay, as the walls are kind of closing in on me and I'm crying out to God, but then now I'm actually experiencing him and he's meeting me here. It's like, okay, this is real. You know what I mean? And like, I'm walking with God in this. And I remember I was going up for sentencing and they had offered me six years. And I remember talking to God. I'm like, God, I'm in handcuffs on my way to the courtroom. I'm like, God, I got faith now. You know what I mean? I've got faith, Lord. Like, why do I still have to go through with this? Like, I've got faith, God. Like, I'm turned from that, God. Like, do we still have to go through with this? Why do I have to go? And I just kept repeating, I got faith, I got faith. And just so subtly I heard in my spirit, yeah, but you don't have obedience. And it was like, it was one of those moments

where I am sitting in the awe of like hearing God's voice. Like, what was that? Because it wasn't audible. It was just a knowing in my heart. And I'm like, so it's like this awe of like, that was God. Like, okay, I've experienced you emotionally, but that was you that just spoke to me. So I'm in awe of that. But then I'm also disappointed at what he just said. Because I'm like, you have no rebuttal. You know what I'm saying? Like, what do I say? Like, uh-uh, I'm gonna be obedient. Like, what do you say to that, right? Like, and it's just, and that was one of those, like, defining moments where it was like, wow, I'm about to have to go walk down this six ball, man. Like, this is what it is. But then it's like that voice and just that experience. It's like, I wouldn't say chasing after, but it's like, now, like, you know. Like, this is him. This is the way that you communicate to me. Like, you know what I mean? Like, it makes the relationship that much more real and tangible. Wow. Wow. Jeannie.

But wait, there's more. No. So I am a thinker. Like, my brain is totally like, I'm rational, logical, parse things out, see patterns. And so I've found a lot of times I experience God in overwhelming feelings. And not just like, I'm emotional about this thing, but like, I will feel something in my core And I'm like, goes against everything I would've thought. And in those moments I can start to separate, like, oh, okay, God. And I would imagine if someone is an over, like, feel a lot, then you'll get a thought downloaded that you're like, okay, this could only come from God. And I think with that comes the clarity and awareness. Like, something will go from being a completely fuzzy picture to being clear. And I'm like, okay, God, that is, that has to be your revelation. And it can't be something, because believe me, if I could logic it out or rationalize it out, it would've been a clear picture by now, like, in my own timing, right? And then I think the other way, and this has been really sweet, I spend a lot of time driving in my car, like, to work, to other cities, to like, you know, doing whatever the thing is.

And I have never seen that as a time to commune with God. Like, it is a time to catch up on music. It's not really catching up. It's still just listening to the music I love. And I just have started to like, take in the scenery safely as I drive. But like, noticing like, clouds are beautiful. And like, God, that's his glory on display. And in ways that I've taken for granted for, I won't mention how old I am, for many a years. And then seeing things, even in the rain. Like, I used to think, I would wake up and it would be raining, and I'd be like, this is gonna be a terrible day, because it's raining. And then even seeing the beauty in that. And so I feel like God is making me recognize his glory, or he's leading me to recognize his glory in creation. But then also just those like, downloading the feeling and an understanding that I'm like, okay, God, I know this, this didn't come from my creation. This didn't come from, it didn't originate in me. It's something that you gave to me. I do too, man. It reminds me of like, I love even like, it's like, more and more, you're just able to see him and acknowledge him in so many things. And I think that's one of the things that like,

I love about like, the Old Testament. How like, they just didn't live a life separate from like, being subject to God. Like, they saw God in every aspect of everything. If a woman couldn't get pregnant, it wasn't she's having troubles, we need to, you know, pray for. It's like, no, God closed her womb. Like, they saw God, everything under the sun was subject to the hand of God, whether he caused it, allowed it or prevented it, whatever the case was. But they saw everything, they saw him in everything. And like, I don't know, that's where my mind goes is just sharing it. That's super dope. Now, what I love is all four of us have had an encounter with God and they're all unique. And what does that have to do with what we're talking about Joseph today? Joseph had these dreams early in his life that were an undeniable, profound encounter with God. And notice that every setback, every twist and turn, he's able to fall back on what he knows about the God who gave him those dreams. And so I think for you and for us as we're here today, like, man, think about those moments where you have been sure. Like, God met me here.

God spoke to me through this scripture or I had this encounter with God because I think that those things are meant to be the things we lean on when it comes to how we can be faithful in the waiting. And so wherever you are today, I pray that you are able to recall, even supernaturally recall, the ways that God has encountered you and shown up in your life and that you would start to see the connections between that and how he's calling you to be faithful in the waiting right now.