Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
John 14:16-17 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
Once we have removed any barriers to hearing God’s voice, it is time to ask how we can know and discern God’s voice. After all, what does God’s voice even sound like?
It’s easy to expect an audible voice or a dramatic event, but the truth is, God speaks in many creative ways. One of the keys to living in ongoing communication with God is to cultivate a sense of curiosity and expectation when it comes to hearing from him. When we ask God to speak, we must do so with a posture of belief—that he is indeed speaking to us and that his words are for our good. It’s about being willing to listen, even when his voice comes in unexpected forms. Sometimes, God speaks through quiet moments in prayer, other times through songs or the words of a friend. God’s voice can be heard through inner promptings, dreams, a gentle whisper in your heart, even through the natural world around us—a bluebird perched on the birdfeeder in the sunrise, or a heart shaped cloud, or the grandeur of the open ocean. The important thing is to remain open to the many ways God communicates with us.
As we learn to discern his voice, it’s also crucial to recognize that not all thoughts are our own. There are external voices—both from God and the enemy—that seek to influence us. But God’s voice is always one of peace, clarity, and truth. The enemy may distort, confuse, and lead us away from God’s will, but when we learn to discern, we can recognize God’s voice amidst the noise.
God does not choose to offer love and guidance only in the context of church services or dramatic moments. His words are woven into the very fabric of our daily lives. Whether through nature, the people around us, or even in our inner impressions and our dreams, God is actively speaking to us. Our invitation is to be open to hearing from him. The more we develop our ability to listen, the more we will experience his tender care and guidance.
As you ponder this with God today, consider asking Him:
Father, in what ways have I been missing your voice? How can I create space to listen more attentively?
Jesus, help me to trust that you want to speak to me, and give me the discernment to recognize your voice in unexpected places.
Holy Spirit, open my eyes to the beauty and messages in the world around me. Let me see your presence in every detail.
