Listen to Your Directions

This past weekend, I again served on the tech team for the weekly services of our church. Although I am also trained to operate a camera and serve as stage manager, my duties this weekend were centered behind a computer. Song lyrics, video and other slides appropriate to the service are run through this computer. My specific set of duties when running computer are very different from those of either the camera operator or the stage manager.
Because the tech team operates as a unit to enhance the worship service, we are all connected via radio headsets. When the director speaks we can all hear his voice. It is important to listen to our call sign to know when he is talking to us and when he is talking to someone else.
Because I have been a camera operator or stage manager at other times, I have to be extremely careful to listen to my current call sign. It is easy for me to desire to look up when one of the others are mentioned. Yet in doing so, I run the risk of missing my own responsibilities. By paying too much attention to the camera directions, I can miss putting up the correct lyrics during worship. It is imperative that I stay in the moment with the task that is in my hand.

As brothers and sisters in Christ we are to act together as a unit to bring the kingdom of God to this earth. Our hearts all pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 AMP) We are to play a role in bringing this to pass. In order to perform the work that God has for us, we must each work at the task to which we have been called. “For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].” (Romans 12:4-5 AMP) We all must work together using our gifts and talent to promote the kingdom of God here on earth.

At different times, God may call and enable us to various forms of service. “To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 AMP) As we move on to another task, it is important to focus on the new task. To do so we cannot allow ourselves to be too tied to other tasks we have performed in the past. The Lord says, “Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19a AMP) We must pay attention to the “now” things of God.

Another important factor is to avoid paying too much attention to what God is directing others to do. Paul told Timothy, “Look well to yourself [to your own personality] and to [your] teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:16 AMP) When Peter asked Jesus about John’s future, “Jesus said to him, If I want him to stay (survive, live) until I come, what is that to you? [What concern is it of yours?] You follow Me!” (John 21:22 AMP) Great advice to follow. We must each listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and follow Jesus. While following Jesus, we allow others to follow Him in the unique paths that He sets before them. Together we love and support each other, watching how God causes us to fit together in His beautiful plan. “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 AMP)

Just as the seasons change and return each year, we may be led back to previous areas of service at various times. Following Jesus requires both listening and a willingness to let the journey wind around as He desires. At every turn we must be present and alert to the directions for that day.

Today, listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His leading for today, whether it is continuing faithfully on a set path or taking a new turn. Do not be distracted by the path of another, but support them in prayer.