Hearing His Voice

On Sunday, I got to teach at kids church. The topic? Hearing God's voice. There's truly nothing better or sweeter or more life-changing.

It wasn't until my early 30s that I had a major (for me) epiphany: God wasn't emotionally distant. I always knew He was there, but I didn't believe I was "spiritual enough" to hear from him intimately and personally.

What a lie.

Now when I look back on my life, I can see that God was indeed speaking to me in so many ways (dreams, impressions, desires, circumstances). I was simply unaware UNTIL I encountered him. Like Jacob, I had the revelation, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it" (Genesis 28:16).

Imagine a generation of children who grow up hearing God's voice, knowing who they are and whose they are! No matter our age, we can always grow in this area. Our ability to hear will be all the more vital in the days ahead.

These are simple words with deep riches. The key here is that Jesus knows you, so he speaks to you in a unique way. He knows the ways he has created you to hear him.

Hearing God is your birthright as a believer. He is continually speaking and guiding and leading. Are you listening and obeying? Is Jesus your Shepherd, or is he only a distant Savior?

Hearing God equals discerning him. The word hear means "to understand, to perceive the sense of what is said." Just as we have five physical senses, we also have spiritual senses, which need activating and exercising.

We're so familiar with the physical realm, but the spiritual realm is the source. Hebrews 11:3 tells us that "the visible has its origin in the invisible." Likewise, Paul reminds us to "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).

The Lord works from within. The eyes of our heart need enlightening. That's why we receive the Holy Spirit at salvation. His job is to point to Jesus! We need this personal revelation and relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

What are they like? Pure love. God's voice sounds like LOVE. It's patient, not pushy. It's personal, kind, and faith-filled. His voice is full of grace and truth. Even when God brings correction, it doesn't come with shame or condemnation.

All of creation testifies about God. Think of the sights, sounds, and sensations. He's in it all ... the wind, the waves, the whispers, even the silence.

Activation: Spend 5-10 minutes alone with Jesus. Get comfortable. Close your eyes. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring you to a beautiful place. Take it in using all of your senses. Then look for Jesus. Where is he? What's on your mind that you want to tell him? What do you want to ask him? What does he have to say to you? Journal about this experience and repeat as often as you'd like.

Your imagination is a gift from the Lord. Set it apart for him and watch how he blows your mind and pours out his presence, love, and wisdom in your life. As a sheep, you can trust that you are always advancing when you're following the voice of your shepherd.

I bless you to hear God's voice in new and deeper ways!

Chelsea