Straight From The Makers Mouth

by Cassie Downs, Christian Blogger

My mom ate an apple in August.

Okay, not true, or maybe she did. I’m not certain, but it’s not the point. The point is, this is the gibberish you hear in a game of Telephone.

Have you ever played Telephone? Telephone isn’t my game of choice, mainly because I’m awful at it. I prefer to win, so if my odds of winning are slim, I opt out. Terrible attitude, I know.

On the off chance someone catches me in an uncompetitive mood, I prefer to be second in the long line of participants. Second in line has a significantly better chance to not mess it up. But the truth is, I’m guilty of blowing it for everybody. You’d expect it’s a sure-fire way to not fail when you’re next in line and you’re hearing the phrase straight from the maker’s mouth. Maybe it’s the warm spit spraying from the mouth of the phrase maker that provokes me to yank away, or maybe I don’t wash my ears often enough, but I struggle with this game.

Earlier this week, while spending some time in my journal, I reminisced over things the Lord spoke to me about earlier this year.

After much prayer, I stepped down from church leadership and backed off in a few areas of ministry, trying to follow what I believe the Lord is leading me to do. It’s been tough for me, I’m a go-getter kind of gal. I’m ready to run like a gazelle toward the things God has for me, but here I am months later still waiting to see them come to fruition; things I believe I heard Him whisper to my spirit. And honestly, it feels like a game of Telephone.

Truth is, I have no trouble trusting Jesus. I believe He’s a trustworthy guy. He’s never let me down, so I’m confident He won’t start now. So what is the issue?

Me.

I struggle to trust myself. My issue isn’t with Jesus, it’s with Cassie. What if I heard wrong? What if I missed it?

While praying through my insecurity this week, I remembered a time when I begged God to speak to me through another person. How God spoke to my heart in that moment and reminded me I don’t need someone else to tell me what I’ve already heard myself. Sometimes you have to take a chance, trust yourself to hear from the Lord. My uncle, Scott, a wise man, reminded me when I was battling through my decision to step down that when my heart is pure, God won’t let me miss it.

You know your heart better than anyone (besides Jesus). Yes, there may be times you get it wrong. Get up, dust yourself off and try again. If your heart is pure, He’ll help you make it right. Sometimes you’ll get it right the first time, but it may take longer than you image, wait a little longer. And occasionally you’ll be afraid to try. If this is you, I challenge you to test it. You will never learn the Lord’s voice if you’re too afraid to get it wrong. Check your heart and take a step.

In the game of Telephone, the worst thing you can do is NOT TRY. Don’t quit before the game starts.

Check your heart, test HIS voice, take a step.

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21 (ESV)

Cassie Downs is a speaker and author of Chasing Jesus, a 60 day devotional, and founder of Everyday Jesus Ministry. Connect with Cassie on Facebook, Instagram, or online at cassiedowns.com. Her book is available online where most books are sold.