The Voice
A story about two voices...
How do I begin my story? Do I start with “Once upon a time”? Do I hope for a jolt of inspiration to create a clever first sentence to ignite a reader’s interest?
I have trouble answering my own questions so I’m going to keep things simple. What I do know is a story has a beginning and an end so I’ll start at the beginning.
I was born a child of the world.
I was born into this world. Isn’t that a startling statement? I was born into this world like everyone else. Do I look like everyone else? No. Do I have the same personality like everyone else? No.
My looks and personality make me different, but what I have in common with everyone is I was born into a family called humanity. Let’s call this family the world’s family and I’m called a child of the world just like everyone else is called a child of the world. Yes, I was born into one, big, happy family living on this planet.
I graduated from crawling to walking and reached an age when I felt confident to step out with my unique looks and personality into the world. But, today was different, I heard something.
I followed the spirit of the world because its promises resonated with my heart.
I heard a voice call, “follow me.”
It spoke words that were written and words that were sung, and words that were spoken by most everyone.
I listened because the voice’s promises resonated in my heart. Its promises of peace and happiness made my mind dance like butterflies in a field of wildflowers. How beautiful a life like this would be. Who would choose not to follow the voice?
So, I followed the voice and was given paints and a canvas to create a painting of my life. Because I can’t draw, the canvas I was given had sketched images that delivered what the voice promised. I wasted no time and worked hard to begin creating my life. My finished painting was flawless and full of delights I created with the voice’s promise of peace and happiness. But something went wrong.
When I stepped back to view my completed work the paint began to crack and slide off the canvas. I tried painting again and again, but the paint wouldn’t stick. The pile of paint chips grew higher and higher each time I tried to create the life I desired.
When I questioned why the paint wasn’t sticking to the canvas the voice laughed and told me I needed further instruction. So, I followed its instruction.
It spoke words that were written and words that were sung and words that were spoken by most everyone.
It cheered when I ran hard after peace and happiness. It laughed when my efforts inflicted hurt and misery on others. It said I was following its instructions well and I’d soon return to my canvas and paints.
Time passed. I wasn’t happy and didn’t have peace. Sometimes, I heard the voice laughing at me and thought, “Why would it laugh if I’m its child following its instruction? But I ignored the laughter and refused to believe my unhappiness and inner turmoil entertained it.
The Spirit of God points to Jesus.
Something happened that I can’t explain. I was encircled by stillness—nothing moved or made a sound. It was in this stillness; I heard a voice. This voice was different from the one I followed and was as subtle as a gentle wind. I heard the name, Jesus, whispered by this voice and that name, triggered a firestorm!
The spirit of the world fiercely opposes the Spirit of God.
I have trouble answering my own questions so I’m going to keep things simple. What I do know is a story has a beginning and an end so I’ll start at the beginning.
I was born a child of the world.
I was born into this world. Isn’t that a startling statement? I was born into this world like everyone else. Do I look like everyone else? No. Do I have the same personality like everyone else? No.
My looks and personality make me different, but what I have in common with everyone is I was born into a family called humanity. Let’s call this family the world’s family and I’m called a child of the world just like everyone else is called a child of the world. Yes, I was born into one, big, happy family living on this planet.
I graduated from crawling to walking and reached an age when I felt confident to step out with my unique looks and personality into the world. But, today was different, I heard something.
I followed the spirit of the world because its promises resonated with my heart.
I heard a voice call, “follow me.”
It spoke words that were written and words that were sung, and words that were spoken by most everyone.
I listened because the voice’s promises resonated in my heart. Its promises of peace and happiness made my mind dance like butterflies in a field of wildflowers. How beautiful a life like this would be. Who would choose not to follow the voice?
So, I followed the voice and was given paints and a canvas to create a painting of my life. Because I can’t draw, the canvas I was given had sketched images that delivered what the voice promised. I wasted no time and worked hard to begin creating my life. My finished painting was flawless and full of delights I created with the voice’s promise of peace and happiness. But something went wrong.
When I stepped back to view my completed work the paint began to crack and slide off the canvas. I tried painting again and again, but the paint wouldn’t stick. The pile of paint chips grew higher and higher each time I tried to create the life I desired.
When I questioned why the paint wasn’t sticking to the canvas the voice laughed and told me I needed further instruction. So, I followed its instruction.
It spoke words that were written and words that were sung and words that were spoken by most everyone.
It cheered when I ran hard after peace and happiness. It laughed when my efforts inflicted hurt and misery on others. It said I was following its instructions well and I’d soon return to my canvas and paints.
Time passed. I wasn’t happy and didn’t have peace. Sometimes, I heard the voice laughing at me and thought, “Why would it laugh if I’m its child following its instruction? But I ignored the laughter and refused to believe my unhappiness and inner turmoil entertained it.
The Spirit of God points to Jesus.
Something happened that I can’t explain. I was encircled by stillness—nothing moved or made a sound. It was in this stillness; I heard a voice. This voice was different from the one I followed and was as subtle as a gentle wind. I heard the name, Jesus, whispered by this voice and that name, triggered a firestorm!
The spirit of the world fiercely opposes the Spirit of God.
The stillness was shattered by something fierce. The voice that I followed—the voice with the promises—returned but was different. This voice I imagined as a father encouraging, guiding, instructing me and amused by my attempts to follow him was now different. If a dragon could speak—I’d say what I now heard was like the voice of a dragon with words encased in its fiery breath. It was fierce!
The voice like a dragon reminded me of its words that were written and words that were sung and words that were spoken by most everyone.
It attacked the words that were written in the Bible, snarling, “The Bible is full of fairy tales!” It pointed to what looked like a universe of libraries full of books authored by men and women claiming divine inspiration from a powerful king who ruled this world. The voice’s tone transitioned from a snarl to a reverent breath declaring, “this king is who I serve and call master.”
The voice like a dragon played music with words that were sung. It proclaimed, “This music is sung by fools worshiping a man called Jesus claiming to be God’s Son. What lies they spread to deceive my children!” And then with a cheer, played music with an audience wildly dancing to words sung by men and women worshipping the true voice that promised peace and happiness. The men and women on stage were like bright stars with voices trained to resonate in each dancing heart.
The voice like a dragon demanded I listen to words spoken by most everyone. I heard words spoken by politicians, corporate management, culture influencers, prize-winning academics, celebrities, and my own family, friends and co-workers. Daily they spoke the name, Jesus Christ, because the current culture tossed His name into a vernacular category labeled “swear words.” Some called Jesus a lunatic for claiming to be God while others seeking spiritual coexistence called Him a teacher, prophet or at least a good man. Yes, I heard these words spoken by most everyone in my life.
But the gentle voice returned me to stillness and opened my ears to hear words that were written and words that were sung and words that were spoken by not everyone.
The Spirit of God uses God’s Word, children of God, and life events to reveal Jesus as the Christ.
The gentle voice read to me words that were written in the Bible. It was like a veil had been pulled off my face. These words weren’t fairy tales to entertain me but words that opened my mind to understand the One, I was taught to despise—Jesus.
The gentle voice opened my ears to hear words that were sung by a chorus of voices worshiping the One I was told only fools would believe. Their music and lyrics praised a God who could give me the peace and happiness I desperately wanted to create for my life.
I had tried so hard painting the life I desired. How could I be sure these words that were written and words that were sung would bring me the peace and happiness I was desperately seeking?
The gentle voice told me words couldn’t answer my question, but the lives of those who chose to follow his gentle voice and the Master he serves could. “Close your eyes,” was my instruction, and I did.
I could see what looked like lightening bugs. Their individual lights broke the darkness and drew me to them. They seemed to move without fear and with a single purpose to bring light to the darkness that surrounded them. A deep knowing revealed to me a new life that reflected outward and not inward. The gentle voice was guiding me to look out—at Jesus and not to myself. He told me I wasn’t expected to do this alone and he would be with me.
The voice like a dragon reminded me of its words that were written and words that were sung and words that were spoken by most everyone.
It attacked the words that were written in the Bible, snarling, “The Bible is full of fairy tales!” It pointed to what looked like a universe of libraries full of books authored by men and women claiming divine inspiration from a powerful king who ruled this world. The voice’s tone transitioned from a snarl to a reverent breath declaring, “this king is who I serve and call master.”
The voice like a dragon played music with words that were sung. It proclaimed, “This music is sung by fools worshiping a man called Jesus claiming to be God’s Son. What lies they spread to deceive my children!” And then with a cheer, played music with an audience wildly dancing to words sung by men and women worshipping the true voice that promised peace and happiness. The men and women on stage were like bright stars with voices trained to resonate in each dancing heart.
The voice like a dragon demanded I listen to words spoken by most everyone. I heard words spoken by politicians, corporate management, culture influencers, prize-winning academics, celebrities, and my own family, friends and co-workers. Daily they spoke the name, Jesus Christ, because the current culture tossed His name into a vernacular category labeled “swear words.” Some called Jesus a lunatic for claiming to be God while others seeking spiritual coexistence called Him a teacher, prophet or at least a good man. Yes, I heard these words spoken by most everyone in my life.
But the gentle voice returned me to stillness and opened my ears to hear words that were written and words that were sung and words that were spoken by not everyone.
The Spirit of God uses God’s Word, children of God, and life events to reveal Jesus as the Christ.
The gentle voice read to me words that were written in the Bible. It was like a veil had been pulled off my face. These words weren’t fairy tales to entertain me but words that opened my mind to understand the One, I was taught to despise—Jesus.
The gentle voice opened my ears to hear words that were sung by a chorus of voices worshiping the One I was told only fools would believe. Their music and lyrics praised a God who could give me the peace and happiness I desperately wanted to create for my life.
I had tried so hard painting the life I desired. How could I be sure these words that were written and words that were sung would bring me the peace and happiness I was desperately seeking?
The gentle voice told me words couldn’t answer my question, but the lives of those who chose to follow his gentle voice and the Master he serves could. “Close your eyes,” was my instruction, and I did.
I could see what looked like lightening bugs. Their individual lights broke the darkness and drew me to them. They seemed to move without fear and with a single purpose to bring light to the darkness that surrounded them. A deep knowing revealed to me a new life that reflected outward and not inward. The gentle voice was guiding me to look out—at Jesus and not to myself. He told me I wasn’t expected to do this alone and he would be with me.
I thanked him and asked for his name. He replied, Holy Spirit, and the stillness was pierced by a shriek!
The voice I had followed and whose master I served was enraged by my disloyalty. Its response was so fierce I turned to run, but something held me back. When it saw I held my ground against this attack it changed its voice to imitate the gentle voice! It told me it loved me. It told me it had my best interest at heart and I must return to my canvas and paints.
I responded by asking for its name. It replied, “I am the spirit of the world" and that name, opened my eyes.
I choose the voice to follow.
The Holy Spirit whispered, “Stand, just stand.” And I did.
The veil of blindness was lifted from my eyes and I saw the deceit of the spirit of the world in its words that were written and words that were sung and words that were spoken by most everyone.
Now I could understand with a deep knowing I didn’t have before. I could hear clearly the voice of the spirit of the world because I was its child. Its promises resonated in my heart because my heart wanted what it wanted. Its purpose was to keep its children from hearing and following the Holy Spirit who served a different Master—Jesus Christ.
I turned and saw my canvas with the mountain of paint chips at its base. But something was different. The canvas had no sketched images to promise me peace and happiness but one image—Jesus. I now understood why my paint wouldn’t stay on that canvas. There was no way I could create a life of happiness and peace.
This was the picture the gentle voice wanted me to see—it was Jesus—the Master the Holy Spirit served and the spirit of the world hated.
I made a choice and followed the voice of the Holy Spirit and my life changed. I began a new life in a relationship with Jesus and was no longer a child of the world but a child of God.
End of the story?
You may think this is the end of the story, but there’s another voice that needs to be heard.
A child’s voice who believed they were a child of God but were still a child of the world.
It spoke words that were written and words that were sung, and words that were spoken by most everyone.
Never underestimate the net of deceit the spirit of the world casts over its children to blind them.
I thought, “I’m a good person” and identified myself as a Christian because I attended a church and received religious instruction. But it was the persistence of the Holy Spirit that opened my eyes to see I was still a child of the world.
How did I find out I was still a child of the world?
The Holy Spirit led me to God’s Word—the Bible. Only then did I see how the spirit of the world’s net of deceit blinded me from seeing Jesus. This is what the Bible revealed:
The Bible revealed that man-made rules and rituals stand between me and Jesus.
The Bible revealed that human and spiritual intercessors stand between me and Jesus.
The Bible revealed I couldn’t earn my salvation by works or sacrifice and Jesus was enough.
The Bible revealed that Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead restored my relationship with God.
The Bible revealed a personal relationship between God and His creation was God’s plan from the start and the primary objective of the spirit of the world is to separate us from God.
The Bible revealed that all I had to do was accept Jesus’ free gift of salvation and I would enter into a relationship with Him now and forever. And I did.
Once I surrendered my life to Jesus my heart resonated with the voice of the Holy Spirit who began to work in me from the inside out.
And that’s when my transformation began…
I became a new creature. My thoughts, priorities and desires shifted. I guess you could call me one of those lightening bugs because my heart no longer wants what the spirit of the world wants. My heart wants what Jesus wants and that’s why God’s children reflect light in this dark world.
I have peace and happiness that is different from the sketched images on the canvas I tried to paint. My life is no longer all about me. My new life sets me apart from sin and sets me apart to serve.
Am I perfect? No. Is my life without trouble and trials? No.
But, I’m not who I was or who I will be until the day Jesus brings me home to be with Him!
This is the end of the story about two voices and the beginning of your story.
Do you know there are two voices? Who will you choose to follow?
Accept Jesus' Invitation...
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)
The Holy Spirit enables eyes to see Jesus...
“I tell you the truth, no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit.” John 3:5-6 (NIV)
The voice I had followed and whose master I served was enraged by my disloyalty. Its response was so fierce I turned to run, but something held me back. When it saw I held my ground against this attack it changed its voice to imitate the gentle voice! It told me it loved me. It told me it had my best interest at heart and I must return to my canvas and paints.
I responded by asking for its name. It replied, “I am the spirit of the world" and that name, opened my eyes.
I choose the voice to follow.
The Holy Spirit whispered, “Stand, just stand.” And I did.
The veil of blindness was lifted from my eyes and I saw the deceit of the spirit of the world in its words that were written and words that were sung and words that were spoken by most everyone.
Now I could understand with a deep knowing I didn’t have before. I could hear clearly the voice of the spirit of the world because I was its child. Its promises resonated in my heart because my heart wanted what it wanted. Its purpose was to keep its children from hearing and following the Holy Spirit who served a different Master—Jesus Christ.
I turned and saw my canvas with the mountain of paint chips at its base. But something was different. The canvas had no sketched images to promise me peace and happiness but one image—Jesus. I now understood why my paint wouldn’t stay on that canvas. There was no way I could create a life of happiness and peace.
This was the picture the gentle voice wanted me to see—it was Jesus—the Master the Holy Spirit served and the spirit of the world hated.
I made a choice and followed the voice of the Holy Spirit and my life changed. I began a new life in a relationship with Jesus and was no longer a child of the world but a child of God.
End of the story?
You may think this is the end of the story, but there’s another voice that needs to be heard.
A child’s voice who believed they were a child of God but were still a child of the world.
It spoke words that were written and words that were sung, and words that were spoken by most everyone.
Never underestimate the net of deceit the spirit of the world casts over its children to blind them.
I thought, “I’m a good person” and identified myself as a Christian because I attended a church and received religious instruction. But it was the persistence of the Holy Spirit that opened my eyes to see I was still a child of the world.
How did I find out I was still a child of the world?
The Holy Spirit led me to God’s Word—the Bible. Only then did I see how the spirit of the world’s net of deceit blinded me from seeing Jesus. This is what the Bible revealed:
The Bible revealed that man-made rules and rituals stand between me and Jesus.
The Bible revealed that human and spiritual intercessors stand between me and Jesus.
The Bible revealed I couldn’t earn my salvation by works or sacrifice and Jesus was enough.
The Bible revealed that Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead restored my relationship with God.
The Bible revealed a personal relationship between God and His creation was God’s plan from the start and the primary objective of the spirit of the world is to separate us from God.
The Bible revealed that all I had to do was accept Jesus’ free gift of salvation and I would enter into a relationship with Him now and forever. And I did.
Once I surrendered my life to Jesus my heart resonated with the voice of the Holy Spirit who began to work in me from the inside out.
And that’s when my transformation began…
I became a new creature. My thoughts, priorities and desires shifted. I guess you could call me one of those lightening bugs because my heart no longer wants what the spirit of the world wants. My heart wants what Jesus wants and that’s why God’s children reflect light in this dark world.
I have peace and happiness that is different from the sketched images on the canvas I tried to paint. My life is no longer all about me. My new life sets me apart from sin and sets me apart to serve.
Am I perfect? No. Is my life without trouble and trials? No.
But, I’m not who I was or who I will be until the day Jesus brings me home to be with Him!
This is the end of the story about two voices and the beginning of your story.
Do you know there are two voices? Who will you choose to follow?
Accept Jesus' Invitation...
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)
The Holy Spirit enables eyes to see Jesus...
“I tell you the truth, no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit.” John 3:5-6 (NIV)