When You Feel God’s Nudge, Just Listen

What I’m about to say is not a “Mountaintop Experience”. God works in my ordinary everyday life sometimes in extraordinary ways and sometimes in subtle, often barely discernable ways.

For example: When Laura Lee, last year’s Church Council President, announced one Sunday that we needed nominations for Vice President for the 2006 calendar year, I felt a “nudge”. One definition of the word “nudge” is to prod lightly. On that particular Sunday I lightly felt the prod. However, by the time I joined friends in the Fellowship Hall, I no longer felt that nudge.

And then a few weeks later, after services, I heard God say, “Just ask about it.” So I did. I asked Dave Krumm what specifically were the responsibilities of the Vice President. He very briefly informed me that it wasn’t too involved…just attend the Council meetings and chair the Nominations committee. That’s about all.

My response to that “nudge” and to that “voice” was a well-defined rationale why I couldn’t possibly fulfill the role of Vice President. I told God how busy my schedule already is. I outlined a list of my current activities and responsibilities in addition to my full-time job. I also added, as if God didn’t know, that I’m already active at St. Andrew’s. I teach Sunday School and I sing in the choir. Isn’t that enough? I was certain that God agreed that I would not, nor could not, be St. Andrew’s next Vice President.

Then in January, at our Annual Meeting, I attended with the intention of listening, participating, voting, etc. as the majority of you do. But then all my well-defined, well-excused plans fell apart.

When the slate of officers was presented for approval, we were told the VP position was still vacant. Nominations were requested from the floor and all of us, including me, remained quietly seated, waiting for someone to come forward.

Without realizing what God was doing, I felt my hand go up and I heard my voice say “I nominate Susan Teas”. And then I heard God say to me, “I tried to tell you a long time ago but you didn’t listen. Go and I will show you.”

Since then I have been attending Council meetings, I have been active on additional committees, and I look forward to next year when I am privileged to fulfill the role of Council President. I’m thankful for the “nudge” I felt months ago and since then I’m trying to focus on listening first. My advice to all of you is, when you feel the “nudge” just “listen”.

Susan Teas