I've just started a Bible study at Michelle's church called "Discerning the Voice of God," by Priscilla Shirer. I've never done anything of hers before, but I think this one is going to be really, really good. I've just done my first day....should have done it several days ago, but, well, life happened....and I want to keep going. I want to go ahead and do the next day, but I know I need to wait so that what I've just read and heard can sink in.
What I've learned after my first lesson is that God is always speaking, but if I don't approach my relationship with Him with an attitude of anticipation, expecting Him to speak to me, I won't hear whatever He has to say. I won't. A have to take everything I have on my mind and in my heart to Him, lay it all at His feet, and wait to hear from Him. He will speak.
It's humbling, really. I can plop myself down before the God of the universe, cry my eyes out over something that - in the grand scheme of things - probably doesn't amount to a whole heck of a lot, and God will hear my cries, feel my hurt, and reach into the broken and desperate parts of my soul to heal me and being me to a place of greater trust and intimacy with Him. Why would He do that? I'm such a mess, and overreact to everything. I don't trust Him like I should. I don't lean on Him, but instead try to stand and walk on my own two wobbly legs. I say I'm giving Him everything I have, so that He can do what He will with it all, but those are only words. My actions betray me. I'm nowhere near as spiritual and intimate with God as people might think. I'm just a big mess.
The great thing, though, is that Jesus sees that, knows that more than I do, even, and accepts me in the middle of that. He sees the mess and looks right past it to what I could be if the mess were not there.
Sometimes I just want to hear His voice, though, you know? I wish it were audible, as weird as that would be. (Can you imagine browsing the cereal aisle at the grocery store and being stopped in your tracks by the booming voice of God?) I wish I could hear it and recognize it and respond to it the way I know is possible. I wish I could know it's Him when I hear something in my mind/heart. Scripture tells us that His sheep will know His voice, and while I believe that's true, there are so many other voices that are vying for my attention that it's a little confusing sometimes. I wish I could hear His words of comfort and peace and let them penetrate my heart because I knew they were from Him. I wish I could be as intimate with Him as people think I am. I wish I could know Him as well as He knows me.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Word of God, Speak
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3 of your thoughts:
I'll have a look at Shirer, Jess. Considering the experience of old and new testament saints regarding prayer
is worthwhile as well - helps keep things in balance.
keep pressing on...as I practice obeying the little things I know are from the Lord, I'm more & more able to hear Him and recognize Him the next time. It might be Him telling me to stop what I'm doing and read the Word, turn on the radio,help someone or call someone etc... Most of the time we hear those things, but brush them off as something optional because we're busy or just don't feel like it. Then we've missed out on the relationship opportunity. Once you've obeyed and it was truly from the Lord,you just know it in your spirit- there is a peace and at times confirmation from others, that it was from Him. The next time you hear/feel Him even if it's something seemingly small, try it. For me, recognizing His voice and distinguishing it from others came through experience with Him and obeying what He's telling me to do. For me, that was the key - obedience. The Bible says the Holy Spirit is a teacher and I know that as you press on and listen and obey, you will be more open to hearing Him and knowing it's Him, in your daily life. Intimacy with God makes life worthwhile!
I totally get the voice thing, but how normal is that probably? And I am convinced He will reveal to us as much as we want to know of Him....after all, He is the "with us" God. That's not mine; I just started a study, too. Beth Moore. Jesus, the One and Only. Let me know how yours goes.
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