Don’t Ignore That Nudge
The nudge.
We’ve all ignored it. That little nudge from Holy Spirit to go, or do, or say or help!
The nudge is so subtle, it’s easy to dismiss as unimportant … or ignore if it’s inconvenient … or disregard if creates an awkward moment.
I was waiting at a diner for a girlfriend when I spotted a young man, maybe 17, staring at a glass of water on the table in front of him. More than a cursory glance, I was compelled to pay attention to him. As I watched him, I distinctly had the thought, “Buy his meal.”
But I stalled.
I didn’t want to embarrass him or grandstand. I moved so he wasn’t in my line of sight, but the thought, “Buy his meal,” persisted. Still I resisted.
Hindsight has no fear.
You are probably shaking your head right now. How obvious, right? GOD IS SPEAKING! I know, I know, I see it now, too, but hindsight has no fear.
The young man left before I took action.
I missed it. I maybe could have made that young man feel like someone cared. That he was seen and that he was loved. But I missed it.
Have you missed it?
Maybe it was the homeless guy on the side of the road. You were nudged to give a little money, but, you talked yourself out of it, cuz, well, ugh, he’ll probably just use it for liquor anyway!
Or maybe you got the nudge to check in on a friend, but you’re really busy this week, and she’s such a talker, you tell yourself you’ll call later.
Hindsight regrets
We’ve all missed it – the opportunity to love like Jesus loves and do like Jesus did. We get scared or worried about how it will look or what it will cost and we miss it.
But when you look back at the opportunity, there is regret. You wonder Why didn’t I go or say or do or help?
You’ll get another chance.
Here’s the good news. You will undoubtedly get another chance to love like Jesus does and do like Jesus did. Next time, don’t make it harder than it needs to be. God equips those he calls to do what he asks … or nudges us to do.
Ephesians 3:16-19 says, God roots you in His love, He empowers you with His Spirit so that You can demonstrate His Love to others.
Potentiate!
There is a medical TERM I learned from my nursing friend. POTENTIATE. It’s fun to say. POTENTIATE!
Potentiate is when two drugs are taken together and one of them intensifies or accelerates or enhances the effectiveness of the other drug.
A spiritual application is that the GOD GIVEN gift or talent or experience or resource you already have POTENTIATES the love of God to others.
God WANTS to demonstrate His love to all His people. What did he put in you to potentiate that love?
Are you a woman of prayer?
Do you pray without hesitation and with full conviction that you have the ear of God?
YOU potentiate the love of God by praying.
Are you a teacher?
Can you teach others to cook or sew or pray or balance a checkbook or read the Bible?
YOU potentiate the love of God by explaining or teaching.
Are you a good listener?
Do you look a talker in the eye and resist the urge to check your phone or look over their shoulder for a more interesting person?
YOU potentiate the love of God by listening.
Are you an encourager?
Most women are encouragers, but maybe you take it to the next level! Do you send cards just because. You’re a master of catching people doing something right and pointing it out.
YOU potentiate the love of God by encouraging.
No regret hindsight.
You cannot fix, save, serve or support everyone. But you can love like Jesus loves and do like Jesus did by acting on the nudge with the gifts, talents, life experiences and resources you have. And when you do, you’ll be blessed with no regret hindsight.
I want to hear about a Holy Spirit nudge you acted on (or one you missed). Leave me a comment, I read every single one.
Verse of the day: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 NIV
I hope l’m a good listener. I paid it forward Tuesday a cup if coffee and breakfast for a supervisor.
At lunch a supervisor bought my lunch from a different department.
Perfect example of acting on the nudge. Thanks for posting Lisa!
I love reading these. You always say things that we all “know” but you say it so gracefully to bring it to the forefront of our thoughts! Thank you for the positive vibes especially in a world that can be so negative at times ????
Hey Jenny, thanks for posting. What an encouragement to me.
The worst regret was not telling someone about Jesus when I heard God tell me it was the last time I would see this person and it was the last time I saw them . I was able to help facilitate getting them to one of there favorite spots but that was as far as it went ?? I try to not dismiss those little nudges now but I know I still do sometimes for whatever reason . I am blessed Robin by all your messages the Lord puts in your heart to share ?
Thank you again for a wonderful message. A couple of weeks ago I was in a store & the person in front of me couldn’t find enough money in her wallet to pay for the items in her basket. I gave her the money & she didn’t want to take it so I told her it is what Jesus did for us., So next time you can help some one tell them Jesus tells us to do this.
Wow, way to do like Jesus did, Sharalyn. Thanks for such a practical illustration of real life experience.
What a painful lesson, Roxanne. What I know is the LORD does not need us to do his will, he invites us into it for our benefit and pleasure. I have to remember my job is to listen and act on the nudges – and let him to do the saving, rescuing, convicting work in others.
Bless you!
I was a good listener today when my niece who I have never had a lengthy conversation with opened up to me and my husband about all the struggles she has been through this past year or two. Besides fighting breast cancer at 30 she had an abusive boyfriend who after she left him killed himself and his parents blamed her for it.
Oh Jean. How heartbreaking. So glad your niece had your attention. May God guide you to dispense wisdom and love to her.
Thanks for this message! It is truly one I needed at this time??
I’m so glad to hear that, Bonnie.
I look for small ways to be helpful, like helping short periods in the grocery store get items off of the top shelf. I’m pretty tall and it’s surprising how many times God presents this situation to me.
My favorite was a time I was in a fast food drive through, getting our family dinner. I observed a woman going through the trash. I ourdered food for her, but by the time I got out of there, she was gone. I saw her as I was driving home. I pulled into a driveway near where she was walking toward me. I made sure she saw that the bag was for her and left it. No words were exchanged.
Once I had a nudge to go to this party (i really did not want to go) and I’m so happy I ended up going because we ended up saving this girl from a potential date rape (she was with some guy and signaled to us that she needed help!). It was so crazy. As far as nudges I’ve ignored…sheesh. Trying to forgive myself and not live in the regret but it is hard.
Oh my! I’m glad you yielded, too!!