How Does God Speak to You?

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

1 Kings 19:11-12

Once in my life I heard the audible voice of God.  Many years ago, I was in a large auditorium with hundreds of pastors.  An annual drawing was held to determine who would be the preacher for the next year’s annual gathering.  As they prepared to draw out a name, I heard a loud audible voice (at least it was audible to me).  It said, “Your name will be drawn and this is the message I want you to preach.”  The voice was very specific as to the scripture, the title and the main point I was to make.  I looked around and the people next to me didn’t seem to hear the voice. But sure enough, my name was drawn, and the next year I preached what God had called me to preach.

I suppose in some ways I thought following God’s call would always be this easy:  an audible voice, specific instructions, absolute certainty as to God’s will.  But like I said, that happened only once in my life.  Most of my life I’ve had to listen hard to discern God’s direction.  Like the prophet Elijah, God has usually come to me in a “still small voice”(KJV) or even a “sound of sheer silence.” (NRSV). But God has been just as present in those times as when I could audibly hear God’s voice.

As you seek to live out God’s call on your life, trust the small voices and even the profound silences.  Don’t wait for God to shout all the specifics in your ear. You have enough to take the next step. Trust that God will guide you along the way, and boldly seek to live your life for the Lord.  Be braver than lions and witness the miracles of faith

Mark Miller