Parallel Parking and God - A Lesson in Listening

My last child, #4, takes her driving test very soon. She is just about ready, but has needed to work on her parking skills before the big behind-the-wheel exam. I have attempted to show her various maneuvers in a parking lot, but knew I had to pass her off to her dad to cover the intricacies of parallel parking. You see, her dad, who is a car-loving “gear-head” if there ever was one, can park a car inside our garage within inches of the walls and corners!

A few days ago they set out to practice on the road, but before they did, my husband attempted to show our daughter on paper how to parallel park. What followed was a series of “I know dad!” and then “Just be quiet and listen!” verbal volleys. I heard “That doesn’t make sense!” and “You have to believe me!” It was basically your typical parent vs. teen argument.

When my husband left the house to wait for our daughter in the car, I calmly reminded her, “You are the student. He is the parent. And when it comes to parking, your dad is an expert. NO ONE can park as well has he can. Listen to him.”

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is from John 10 :27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

We hear his voice? We can “hear” the voice of the Shepherd? Oh yes! I want to hear the voice of my Shepherd, but how often do I tune Him out with an “I already know that” attitude or “That doesn’t make sense” response. I wrestle within my spirit and sometimes even ignore Him entirely with, “Well, maybe that wasn’t even God.” I’ll admit, I struggle with this one. I struggle to discern when ideas are my own or when they are Spirit-led or could they be some trick of the devil to trip me up.

The only answer I have found is to become more familiar with the “sound of His voice.” Just as real sheep learn the sound of their shepherd’s unique call, we too can learn to recognize our Shepherd’s voice.

How? To get to know His “voice” is to get to know Him – we do that by reading and studying His Word, the Bible. That’s where we learn about His nature, His character, His great love. Through the study of God’s Word, we can learn to recognize the difference between our own fleshly desires and God’s perfect plan for our life. We learn the difference between our enemy, the devil, who disguises himself as “god” (2 Corinthians 11:14) and the True, Holy, Living God.

The second part of John 10:27 is equally important, “…and I know them.”

He KNOWS us. Let that sink in. God knows our strengths and weaknesses. He knows our past, present, and future. He made us (Psalm 139) and has watched us succeed and fail, and loves us through it all.

He also wants to guide us and to show us the way.

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

In fact, He, too, drew it out on paper (the Bible) so we could have it in writing before we have to put it into practice!

But how often, like a rebellious teen, do we shrug it off with an “I already know that” or “It makes no sense” or even “This is really boring” attitude?!

Hey! Guess what? He is our expert! He created this life! He has the BEST in mind for you! He knows what He’s doing! LISTEN to him.

It takes some trust doesn’t it? After my little lecture, my daughter was able to get into the car, knowing her dad would not steer her wrong. (Sorry, that pun was totally intended) And once she surrendered her will and was willing to hear him out, she got it! She listened his instructions and learned parallel park.

“…and they follow me.” That’s the result when we listen to Him. We become true followers of Christ, able to discern what His good and perfect will is.

He really IS the expert! Will you listen?