I was watching an episode of the West Wing last week and this story was shared with President Bartlet when he had a difficult choice to make and didn’t know what to do.

There was a man who lived in a house next to a river.

After a heavy storm, the water rose and an announcement came over the radio urging locals to leave their houses before their homes were flooded.

“Oh, no,” said the man confidently to himself, “I’m a religious man, I pray, God loves me, God will save me.”

The water rose higher, and the man was forced to move into the second story of his house.  A guy in a row boat came along and called for the man to hurry and get into the boat.

“Oh, no, that won’t be necessary,” the man insisted. “I’m a religious man, I pray, God loves me, God will save me.”

Finally the house was completely engulfed in water, and a helicopter swooped in to rescue the man, now perched on the roof.

Again he refused, saying, “I’m a religious man, I pray, God loves me, God will save me.”

Just then, a huge wave of water swept over the house, and the man drowned.

When he got to heaven, he demanded an audience with God.

“Lord,” he said, “I’m a religious man, I pray. I thought you loved me. Why did this happen?’

“What do you mean?” asked the heavenly Father. “I sent a radio announcement, a boat, and a helicopter and you still wouldn’t listen to me!”

Sometimes, we pray and look for a sign from God as to what we should do next.

Most often, He’s already spoken and we just haven’t paid attention.

He will often use unusual sources and will even use those who don’t believe in Him.

Just make sure that you’re listening.

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