On a recent Saturday night, I fronted up at a church to speak at a special dinner to raise funds for a home for disabled teenagers. I had been invited months earlier and the women organising the event were obviously keen for me to come. But for that, I might well have dropped out since I was still recovering from the flu and also hobbling along in a ‘moon boot’, after injuring my ankle.
By God’s grace, I was able to focus and speak from the heart, forgetting about everything else. Yet, as I sat down afterwards, I wondered if I had struck the right chord. They had all seemed attentive—but I had not expected so many men to be present. Were they happy to have a woman speak to them? Or were they all wondering when I would finish, so they could enjoy their dessert for which they had waited so patiently?
I was not left in doubt for very long. As one old gentleman passed me on his way to select his dessert, he tapped me on the shoulder. What was coming, I wondered. What was he about to say? Had he even heard what I had said? He was rather bent over with age—perhaps he was a little deaf as well. But then he began speaking softly, his face filled with emotion.
‘In my experience,’ he told me, ‘there are some people who know about God—and some people who know God. Now … you are one of the latter. Thank you very much! And you know, God has spoken to me too—many times.’
Ignoring all that wonderful dessert nearby, he began telling me how God had saved him during the war and had warned him about other events in his life. My heart was touched and I felt so honoured and humbled. I had judged this man as perhaps being unable to catch or understand my input. Instead, he had heard every word and had related so much to it all.
Later, I chatted with two other gentlemen, one of whom I discovered was a retired minister. Both thanked me for my input and were obviously touched. I had not expected such feedback at all and again felt so humbled.
The next day, as I reflected on the evening and on other events where I have spoken recently, I began to see yet again how so many people, whatever their backgrounds, seem to long to truly know and hear from God. They want the real thing. They are tired of merely hearing about God—if they hear anything at all. And this opinion seemed to be reinforced when I later turned to my bible and read Jesus’ strong response to the Sadducees who had asked him about some hypothetical situation, twisting Scripture to suit their own ends.
Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. Matt 22:29
What an indictment on them! And what an indictment on those of us too who feel called to speak if we do not come to grips fully with God’s heart in Scripture and then convey this in God’s power and with passion and sincerity! People are waiting, looking for reality. May we let neither God nor them down.
Jo-Anne Berthelsen's Blog 
thank you Joanne, our God is amazing! He also told us to “go out into the world ” You sound like that is what you are doing; speaking out about Jesus. He really asks us only to tell others about his love, that’s all. And to “act” in love. So others can see Him through us.
Thanks for your lovely comments, Lucy. And yes, it really is all about sharing God’s amazing love in a real way, for sure. What a privilege! God bless.
Always challenging and encouraging to read your blog posts, Jo-Anne. Being able to share encounters with God with others who love Him is such a privilege and He always knows just when we need to share with someone. I have to confess there have been perhaps too many times over the years when He was speaking and I did not realise at the time. His love and patience with me is so humbling and I can only seek to listen more each day.
Thanks so much for your lovely, encouraging comments, Mary. And I certainly endorse those thoughts in that last sentence of yours for myself too. To be honest, I think I didn’t listen so well earlier in the year after I had my back operation in January when I felt the Lord was challenging me to take some time out. Instead, I ploughed on and became pretty tired, which is probably one of the reasons my current bout of flu is hanging around. But as you say, the Lord is so patient with us and just keeps reaching out and blessing us and challenging us. Looking forward to seeing you next month at the writers’ conference.
Hi Jo-Anne, it’s so good to hear that those men appreciated you sharing God’s Truth instead of viewing woman as vessels to be seen and not heard on matters of importance, or they value woman as being just there to boost up their egos and meet their physical needs.
I’m not saying that a woman should be Ordained because they are than in Authority over men and this is not our role, it is disobedience and so they will teach error but we are all called to share God’s Truth regardless of our gender and to correct error and to rebuke in Love and for Love, those who sin in the Church or warn those who are in danger or yes warn about danger.
I think you made some very good points, especially that so many are lost in confusion and seek Truth about God but to be honest I wonder how many will accept it when they hear it, God tells us a lot will have itching ears.
We have had something in common Jo – Anne, see link below…..
Blog link- http://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/big-foot-unbelievable-evidence/
Christian Love in our Unity in Christ Jesus – Anne
Thanks for your comments, Anne–we are definitely all called to share God’s truth as you say, regardless of our gender. And you are probably right that, while many seem to long for real truth, whether they accept it is another matter.
And I did laugh at your blog about the ‘moon boot’, which I am still wearing myself!
I found your blog and began reading amazed I like reading Gods truth and am amzed at what God can do for us.
Thanks for your comments. I agree–God sure is pretty amazing! And how blessed we are to be able to write about all those amazing truths about what God can do for us. God bless you in your own writing journey.