Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Hearing from God is not a rare or exclusive experience meant for only the “super holy.” It is a gift and invitation available to everyone. God longs to speak to us, and communicating with us is central to the intimate relationship he desires to share with us. As we draw near to him, he draws near to us. The invitation is to engage in a heart-to-heart, personal conversation with the One who wonderfully and uniquely knit us together.
However, hearing from God isn’t always straightforward. We live in a world full of distractions, both internal and external, that can make it difficult to discern his voice. Our own fears, doubts, and misconceptions about God’s nature can create barriers to true intimacy. We may carry the belief that God is scornfully angry with us or that we are not worthy of his attention. But God is never distant, and even his anger is gentle and kind. His voice is always available, always loving, and always calling us closer.
God’s voice is personal and transformative. He doesn’t always communicate the same way to every person. He wants to speak to you in ways through which your heart can experience his love—because he knows you. He knows your love language. He doesn’t want a relationship with you just because you’re a person. He wants an intimate friendship with you because you are uniquely you, the only you he made.
When God speaks to you, he may have something encouraging to say to your heart. He may have an answer to a direct question, or give you guidance on a choice you have to make. He may give you a word that he wants you to deliver to someone else. He may give you correction, or conviction, or reveal something to you that he wants to change and restore. Because, just like any other friend, God doesn’t want to relive the same conversation over and over again with you. He cares for you, he wants what is best for you, and though his voice may not always be what you were expecting or hoping to hear, it does always point us back to his love and purpose for our lives.
Today, take time to listen. Open your heart and mind to God. Ask him to reveal himself to you in new ways. Trust that he desires to communicate with you and that his voice is already speaking.
As you ponder this with God today, consider asking Him:
Father, how have I experienced your voice in my life? How have I responded to your invitations to hear from you?
Jesus, in what ways do you speak to my heart that are uniquely my own?
Holy Spirit, help me be attuned to your voice today amidst the noise and distractions. What do you want to say to me today?
