For several weeks I have felt like my life has been controlled by the urgent. Maybe you know the feeling—running from one deadline to the next, squeezing in time for social engagements that just seem to pop up, while at the same time trying to figure out how you are going to tackle that big project looming over you. You tell yourself things will change, but week after week something else comes up, leaving little time to reflect or focus on more important things like relationships, family and God. I like to be busy, but I have learned that when it comes to God’s work, motion does not always equal progress. The most important thing a missionary can do is invest time in people, but often the tyranny of the urgent makes that difficult to do. In the heat of the battle when I feel like a chicken running around with his head cut off, I find it difficult to concentrate on anything but the task at hand, which leaves me wondering if I am really making a difference in anyone’s life. However, I am beginning to see that, amid the chaos, God is whispering to me and seeking to lead me in His way.

A while back, I had the thought that I should visit my friend Chaa who sells fruit on the road that goes past our village. I have always felt that we connect well, so I have tried to make it a point to see him consistently. It had been a while since I had seen him, but I felt like I was too busy. As I contemplated the situation, I sensed the Lord whispering to me to go and to trust Him with my schedule. So I went, and Chaa and I had a nice visit. Before I left, he told me he was interested in sending his daughter to our music school, Peace Music Academy (PMA). I told him I would be happy to bring him more information about the school on my next visit, and I walked away praising God that I had listened to Him!

A few days later I felt impressed to call a college student at the local university whom I hadn’t seen in church for awhile. I called him on a Friday evening when I knew he wouldn’t be in class or busy with school work. Our conversation started with the usual formalities, and after about five minutes I wasn’t sure what else to say, so I offered to end the call with a prayer for him. He readily agreed. When I asked if he had any prayer requests, he began to open up about a situation that was causing him great perplexity. He also shared that he had been feeling a little depressed. I prayed for him and encouraged him to come back to church. Before we hung up, he told me that my call had come at the perfect time for him. Again, I marveled at God’s prompting.

For a few months, I have contemplated taking guitar lessons to be able to utilize music in my ministry. I have never learned an instrument before, and I wasn’t sure how well I would do or whether I would have time to practice. As the months rolled on, thoughts of playing guitar kept coming back to me, and I sensed the Lord prompting me to act on this desire. I decided to visit music schools in town. Though I knew I could take lessons at PMA, I wanted to study with a Thai teacher.

After returning from a short vacation at the beginning of the year, I visited two schools and paid for a trial lesson. I wasn’t impressed with either of them, so I decided to go back to a school I had visited in October. When I went back and talked with the office workers, I felt strongly that this was the school where I should study, so I arranged for a free trial lesson the next week. When I arrived for the lesson, I was excited to learn that my teacher was a Christian and that he would be able to teach me how to play Christian songs! I felt confirmation that this was indeed where God wanted me to study guitar, so I quickly arranged for lessons, again praising God for His quiet whispers to my heart.

As I reflect on these experiences I am comforted by the fact that, no matter how busy or chaotic life may get, God is still right there with us, whispering to our hearts, seeking to lead us in His way if we will take the time to listen. So often, I feel overwhelmed with the enormity of the missionary task before us in Khon Kaen, but I know that if I keep my ears open and my eyes on Jesus, I have no reason to worry. Please pray that I will continue to listen to the whispers of God.

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