Lessons Learned on the Lobby Couch
With just the tiniest bit of drool dripping from my mouth, I woke up in the one place I didn’t want to be. The lobby. I couldn’t believe it.
The one rule that seemed too ridiculous for anyone to break – I broke to pieces. At the urban ministry in New York City, weekend volunteers, like me, were strongly encouraged not to lie on the lobby couch. That morning I wasn’t just taking up sitting space, I was sprawled out and sound asleep.
It was my first trip to the big city. My mission was to comfort the poor who were living on the cold, dark streets that winter. After cruising in a van around Manhattan until 2 a.m., looking for pockets of homeless people to give blankets and sandwiches to, my ministry team headed back to Queens.
As a teenager, I loved to socialize, especially when such cute guys and cool gals were around. So when my new friends decided to forego the sleep we needed and stay up, I joined them.
We spent an hour or two on the roof laughing and chatting as we gazed at one of the world’s most beautiful skylines. Then, we adjourned downstairs to the lobby/kitchen area where it was warm to talk some more. It was then that I broke the rule.
I was dead tired. Besides, I planned on getting up before anyone saw me.
Mortified, I awoke to the sounds of rustling dishes and conversations. Everyone was eating breakfast just a few feet from where I was. Volunteers and leaders had all passed by me on their way to the food and noticed me lying on the "no-sleeping-here sofa," probably with my hair going every which-way.
This embarrassing moment turned into a valuable lesson as God convicted me of something that wasn't right in my walk with Him.
I had been ignoring His voice.
Later that morning, my sister explained to me she had tried to wake me up. I just didn’t respond to her calling.
In the same way, I was not truly hearing God talk to me on a daily basis. My ears weren’t consistently attuned to His voice as they should have been.
“My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.” ( NLT)
God wants to speak into our lives everyday. Don’t restrict Him to special occasions when you feel like having a spiritual moment. Keep your ears and eyes open all the time. He won’t disappoint you.
God provides wisdom for the decisions that stand before you. He’s promised to replace the turmoil plaguing your life with unexplainable peace. He is everything you need to walk through this life.
Not sure how to hear from the God of the Universe?
It’s pretty easy. Just ask God to speak into your life, and then sit quietly before Him. All you have to do is be awake and aware of His still, small voice. Trust me, you won’t be sorry you listened.
Oh, and never, ever, ever get comfortable sitting on a couch in a public area when you're tired. If you do, you may end up with your own embarassing story to tell.
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