Show me.

Two words. A simple phrase, that when humbly spoken, opens the conversational door to the life of faith, of actively trusting in Jesus.

Show me. 

I can speak to the power of this petition, voiced from my soul’s deep desire and with an up-reaching plea. A confused college sophomore in September 1973, I uttered these words to God from the top floor of Moffitt Library on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. 

A note to the reader:  this is a rewrite of one of the first Blue Spigot entries, published in September 2021, recalling when I became aware of God’s participation in my life. In this new version attention is drawn to my request for his assistance, summed up in the phrase “show me”.  Even if you have already read the original post, I hope you’ll read it again for two reasons: this story will be a personal illustration chapter in my forthcoming book about the Great Commandments, and I have a personal request at the end.

And almost immediately after speaking those words – show me – my life was transformed. God was no longer an orienting North Star I haphazardly followed. I learned that he already had been, was, and is always willing to be my faithful guide, provider, and friend.  

To explain more fully, let’s look back to the concluding months of my college freshman year. One evening in May, my dad patiently asked (once again) whether I had chosen a college major. A couple of months earlier I had jettisoned his long-held plans for my becoming a doctor. Sorry, Dad. Nothing yet. Discussion closed. Time for bed.

As I reached to turn out the lamp, a biblical reference came into my mind: 2 Timothy 4. After briefly ignoring the incident and turning out the light, I changed my mind. I found my Bible and read this: 

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.  

I now see this passage as my heavenly father’s definitive answer to my earthly father’s question. God commissioned me into his service. But that’s not how I originally received it. The light went off again, and the evening ended.

Four months of arm-wrestling began the next morning. I can’t say it resembled a conversation, as my relationship with God had never developed into that stage.  It was more of a confused attempt to make sense of an incomprehensible proposal. I had no desire to be a Pastor, and was quite sure I wasn’t cut out for the job. Nor was I qualified, at least in my estimation.

But what do you say to a command? From the Sovereign Lord?  

Returning to that September day in the library, I reluctantly said yes – a resigned surrender to what I sensed was his claim upon my identity and my vocation. The tone was more like fine. But it was a yes. Yes, Lord. 

But the life-changing transformation didn’t happen with my assent. I don’t believe it ever does. As stated earlier, it began by saying show me, an honest admission that I didn’t know how to proceed, and I needed his help.

My immediate concern? I was convinced I couldn’t follow Jesus into ministry by studying at Berkeley. Yes, academically it has a long history of being the best public university in the country.  But it’s more popularly known as a haven for free thinking and free speech, not faithful discipleship. I had a plan, but I knew I needed God to direct my path wisely.

Thus, my dilemma brought forth a declarative prayer: OK, God, I’m going to the registrar’s office right now to start the process of transferring to a Christian college. If you don’t want me to do this, then you’ll have to stop me.

In other words, show me. 

I never made it to Sproul Hall, the administration building. I can take you to the exact spot where he “showed me”, about fifty yards from the library doors. In the shadow of The Campanile, the iconic belltower on the Cal Berkeley Campus, I unexpectedly ran into a family friend, Greg Best, who recognized me despite the fact our paths had not crossed in about ten years.

As conversations go, it started typically. He asked, what are you studying?   I decided to let him be the first person with whom I would share my thoughts, specifically my decision to bolt from Berkeley in order to train for ministry.

But I discovered that my thoughts were misguided, and I could not have encountered a more qualified person to inform me.

I learned that Greg was doing doctoral work at Cal after earning a bachelor’s degree from Stanford, sandwiched by a master’s degree in theology from a respected seminary in Massachusetts. He had become friends at seminary with alumni from both secular and faith-based universities. Out of that knowledge, he shared his conviction that Christian colleges prepare someone to minister to those who are already following Jesus, but I would receive a more comprehensive and beneficial education at Berkeley.

He closed with the following statement:  If my opinion means anything to you, you should stay right here.

Think about it, as I have for fifty-one years. I asked God to stop me if I was making a foolish decision … and not ten minutes later I just happened to run into a friend who could bring a wise and reasonable message to me from God. 

Greg didn’t realize that our encounter was actually a divine appointment. Coincidence?  I didn’t believe it then, and still don’t.  The converging of our paths and our paces at just the right moment was a mind-boggling logistical occurrence. But God excels in that business.

I never took a step further to leave Cal. But I still needed to decide on an undergraduate major, the resolution of which is another testament to God’s delight in answering my plea: show me. Two months later at Thanksgiving he showed me a wonderful option, and also showed that he had already been directing my academic journey without my knowledge.

That year our family’s holiday dinner included my cousin Jan and her husband Denny, who came up from San Diego. Denny managed and wrote for a Christian organization, so I asked him about his college major. He said he studied Psychology, but lamented that he didn’t take any courses in Communications. His next statement was memorable: the best major to prepare for ministry is one that combined the two.  Nice idea, I thought, but I doubted the existence of the concept.

Later that night at home, I discovered in the UC Berkeley Catalog an interdisciplinary major in the Rhetoric Department: Communications and Public Policy, with an emphasis on … you guessed it … understanding people and how to communicate with them.  

My momentary excitement was quickly tempered when I saw an asterisk next to the title. The explanatory note said that this major was now closed, as it was being phased out in two and a half years.  New applicants to enroll in this major would need to have already taken certain courses, such as Cultural Anthropology, Introduction to Psychology, History, and Public Speaking.

My jaw dropped. In my four quarters of college I had already taken enough of the required prerequisites as my elective courses. I applied and was accepted to be part of the last group to graduate with that major, which gave me an incredibly comprehensive and relevant foundation for pastoral ministry.

I have always been grateful for the education I got at Cal. But I am far more grateful to learn about God’s involvement in daily life – mine, of course, but also for anyone who humbly prays those words: show me.

Did you notice I said humbly? The words alone are not magical, an incantation we speak as we stand above and apart from God, challenging him to show up and measure up. When spoken with pride, nothing will be shown. No illumination will be given.

But if we come with open ears and a seeking posture, expressed by our honest petition – show me – a different kind of magic ensues, a life we only dream of. Yet that’s exactly what was promised by God to everyone who takes up his invitation in Isaiah 55. I encourage you to stop and read the whole chapter now, but here’s a glimpse:

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you.”      

(Isaiah 55:6,8,3, New Living Translation)

We begin our quest to love God with our minds when we speak the words show me, an honest declaration that we need to think differently, to come to different conclusions and convictions, and to understand his ways and thoughts. Our minds cannot be renewed if we don’t admit that we lack and tell him we are ready to listen. Show me.

In one of his “I am” statements, Jesus made this claim: I am the good Shepherd, and my sheep follow me because they know my voice*. Are you listening to your shepherd? And does the shepherd hear your voice, asking for his guidance and wisdom? Listen, and you will find life.

One September day, fifty-one years ago, as a confused, candid, yet committed disciple, I said yes to God, and then asked for his help, saying show me.  

And oh, how he did. He showed up and stopped me cold on Campanile Way. He then proceeded to show me that he was and had been my good shepherd, and started the lifelong process of changing my mind to resemble his. He’s still got a lot of work to do, all these years later.

I hope this story has been an encouragement to you. Here’s my request: will you please share with me your own show me stories?  I’d love to hear how God has opened your ears and your mind, and thus deepened your knowledge of him and of his ways. It likely won't be a call to vocational ministry, just a sincere longing.

I hope to use a few examples in my book. Send me your stories via the contact page or by emailing me directly at bluespigot97@gmail.com.  Thanks in advance!!    

Benediction of Blessing

• May you accept God’s invitation to give you life by listening for his voice and following what you hear.

• May you be surprised – yes, even stunned – as he shows you the reality of his presence in your life and his deep love for you.

• May you be given an unshakeable awareness of his guiding and providing hand through the events of your days.

 * John 10: 3,14

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM