Hearing God Through Christian Radio
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Maybe you are thinking, well duh, of course God speaks through Christian radio. And I'll give you that. He does. A lot. I'm just not usually the one listening to it. I'll admit it, I'm a bit of a music snob. I like my indie bands no one has heard of except for a few other equally cool friends of mine. I like obscure foreign music [Sigur Ros, anyone?] and those sleepy songs that play during an art film's romantic montage [Ray Lamontagne, yes please!]. I used to listen to Christian radio all the time...but then I just stopped. When every song starting sounding the same, when I heard other bands that sounded current not like they were stuck in the 90's when its 2002, and when I realized none of my Christian friends listened to Christian radio either. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with Christian radio...I'm glad it exists! My first international mission trip was because of a Christian radio station, and I'm forever grateful I turned it on that day. But even still, it's never really been a preset on my radio. Until recently. While in southern Africa, God really challenged about secular media and what I'm taking in through movies, TV, music and books. It's touchy subject for me, because I like my media. But I love my Savior more. So when He speaks, I listen. And He asked me to let it go for a season. I began listening to more Christian music, and reading more Scripture and Christian fiction. And surprisingly, there's some OK stuff out there! I found myself continuing when I returned stateside, and added some Christian stations to my car stereo. So begins this story...
The other day I was thinking about my life and the direction it was headed, and I began to get overwhelmed. Why was doing this secondary school just 2 weeks after returning from Africa? Where was I going to get the money for the school? How was I going to pay my bills? Should I take a quarter off, and just work? Should I even go back at all, there's plenty of ministry to be done right here in Tampa? I begin praying in the state of my overwhelming cry. I turned off one Christian station [I just couldn't handle another Colbie Calait sound-alike] to turn on another and catch the last half of this song by Josh Wilson, called I Refuse. Listen to what God spoke:
It hit me square between the eyes. This was why I was turning around 2 weeks later to do another training school. This was how I knew God would provide not only the funds for my school, but also my bills. And this is how I knew that what God is calling me to is bigger. Bigger than me, bigger than any job I could take or any paycheck I could bring home. Because:
Sometimes I,
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone’s alright
When I know they’re not.
This world needs God
But it’s easier to stand and watch.
I could pray a prayer and just move on
Like nothing’s wrong.
But I refuse.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.
I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately,
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of you, oh God.
So, if you say move,
Then it’s time for me to follow through,
And do what I was made to do.
Show them who you are.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.
To stand and watch
The weary and lost
Cry out for help.
I refuse
To turn my back
And try and act like all is well.
I refuse
To stay unchanged,
To wait another day,
To die to myself.
I refuse
To make one more excuse.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.
Show them who you are.
And that is how God spoke to me through Christian radio. Funny, eh?
The other day I was thinking about my life and the direction it was headed, and I began to get overwhelmed. Why was doing this secondary school just 2 weeks after returning from Africa? Where was I going to get the money for the school? How was I going to pay my bills? Should I take a quarter off, and just work? Should I even go back at all, there's plenty of ministry to be done right here in Tampa? I begin praying in the state of my overwhelming cry. I turned off one Christian station [I just couldn't handle another Colbie Calait sound-alike] to turn on another and catch the last half of this song by Josh Wilson, called I Refuse. Listen to what God spoke:
It hit me square between the eyes. This was why I was turning around 2 weeks later to do another training school. This was how I knew God would provide not only the funds for my school, but also my bills. And this is how I knew that what God is calling me to is bigger. Bigger than me, bigger than any job I could take or any paycheck I could bring home. Because:
Sometimes I,
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone’s alright
When I know they’re not.
This world needs God
But it’s easier to stand and watch.
I could pray a prayer and just move on
Like nothing’s wrong.
But I refuse.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.
I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately,
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of you, oh God.
So, if you say move,
Then it’s time for me to follow through,
And do what I was made to do.
Show them who you are.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.
To stand and watch
The weary and lost
Cry out for help.
I refuse
To turn my back
And try and act like all is well.
I refuse
To stay unchanged,
To wait another day,
To die to myself.
I refuse
To make one more excuse.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.
Show them who you are.
And that is how God spoke to me through Christian radio. Funny, eh?
About the author
Joy Muldoon is a full-time missionary and part-time blogger. Read about her travels, adventures, and missions here!
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