Say It Louder So God Can Hear You

Assumptions: we all make them. Whether we assume that people have the information they need or think that people understand what we are going through.

Most of the time, they don't.

It could be because we have not communicated well or that they were not listening.

How much assuming have we been personally doing in regards to our faith?

Recently in a meeting with one of the state agencies we partner with, they had made many assumptions about Hope Multiplies, our ministry that connects local churches to the child welfare system.

They assumed that we were not local but rather an outside organization.

They thought that company employed us.

When we explained, we were just a couple of foster moms that lived here and were full-time volunteers passionate about this cause, the mood of the meeting immediately changed.

In the end, he asked us what was next for Hope Multiplies?

I responded the same way I always do. This is a local movement, and we are laser-focused on only doing a few things and doing them well.

He laughed and called out,

"Say it louder so God can hear you!"

I was immediately hit by the conviction bus!

Even when we are in a God-sized calling, how do we continue to interject personal restrictions, perimeters, and limitations around it?

Even though I still believe that this is meant to be a small local movement, I do not know God's plans.

The best answer I should have given was:

It will be whatever God wants it to be.

I am not saying we cannot have goals, but instead, they should be God-focused:

• The Gospel is the center and should be made known

• We are collaborating with others.

• We are not seeking to be known, but rather our work is unseen.

• Those we encountered felt the love of Christ and wanted to know Him better.

So, what plans do you need to surrender today?

What limitations have you placed on a calling God has set before you?

Is there something that you need to remove from your own hands and intentionally place back in the more capable hands of Jesus?

Ephesians 2:8-10 reminds us:

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.

God has been going before us, preparing a path. We just have to stay out of the way.