Listening and Following God’s Nudges to Turn Around

Day 9– August 30, 2018

By Jim McSwain

There are many different spiritual gifts identified throughout scripture. I believe that each of us has several special talents and abilities that God has given to us to share in making a difference in His world. One “gift” that I feel I have been able to use, especially in my role as a hospital chaplain, is that of listening to others and also “listening” for God’s guidance and direction in visiting patients. The following story is of a meaningful encounter I recently had with a patient in the emergency room:

After making rounds, I was saying good-byes to some of the staff. The charge nurse said, “Oh, there is another person we are going to admit. You might want to check on him.” I knew I would be late for another commitment, but something (God’s spirit, I believe) nudged me to “turn around” and go back.

I stepped behind the curtain and lying on the bed was a neatly dressed fellow with a pony tail, many tattoos, and fancy looking cowboy boots. I told him who I was and he immediately began to share some of his story. I could tell he really wanted to talk and needed someone to listen to him.

He lived with his 79 year old father and served as his primary caregiver. The patient told me that in the past, he had been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident and had also experienced major heart problems which almost killed him. He shed tears as he talked.

He said that on this day, he was experiencing the same kind of pain down his arm and in his chest as before and he was scared. He drove himself to the hospital because he didn’t want to worry his girlfriend and his dad. He said they didn’t even know where he was.

He also talked about his faith and his belief that God was caring for and watching over him. He shared that he had done some “pretty wild things” in his past, but that he had renounced that way of life. As the visit continued, I prayed for him and his loved ones and he was very appreciative.

Before I left the room, I knew that God had led me in those moments for His purpose when the patient told me, “Thank you! It was meant for you to come see me today. God sent you!” I also knew within my innermost being that it was God’s gentle “nudging” that caused me to “turn around” and not leave the emergency department when I could have.

My point in this story is that I believe that listening and reflecting with others is a “spiritual gift” that can be used to make a positive difference in someone’s life. Also, I believe it is an important gift to always be alert and attune ourselves to the inner “nudges and urges” that God sometimes puts in our hearts to “turn around and go back” even when it may not be convenient.

I encourage us all to be on the look-out for the chances we have in and outside of our church walls of being good listeners and by our presence sharing some of God’s wonderful love and grace.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others faithfully administering Gods grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 NIV