God’s Voice
Hearing the voice of God.
Are you hungry to hear the voice of God? I have always felt that way. Maybe it is a God-inspired desire built into us all. In the late eighties, Steve and I attended a John Wimber conference in Canberra. He explained that hearing the voice of God is like a ‘wh’, not quite a whisper, but the beginning of a whisper. To hear and understand the voice of God, it is necessary to walk in listening mode and grab the ‘wh’ and then step out in faith.
But, is that really God’s voice
Most of my life, I wondered if what I was thinking was God’s voice. I’ve waited for more instructions or understanding, wanting time to check, discern, to be sure. But no. If God says go, like Abraham, I must go and trust he will know the ‘where’ and ‘how’.
I have agonised over every thought that could have been a ‘wh’. Did it come from God, the devil, or my mind or imagination. This process was paralysing and so there was no action as a result of anything I may have heard. One day as I was pleading with God to show me which was voice was his, I had a thought.
~~~ Jo, you are not the good sheep~~~
Was it God speaking? The idea brought me revelation so I opened my mind a little further. Puzzled I looked to him for more understanding. By doing that, I was acknowledging his voice. A tiny step of faith.
He, of course, is the good shepherd. The bible teaches it. The shepherd makes sure his sheep follow, stay on track, go where he leads. The sheep’s role is to follow and enjoy the pastures, not be concerned if this is the right blade of grass.
Life became simpler that day. Okay, God. I’m just going to move forward the best I can and if I go wrong, I’m trusting you to correct me. After all your rod and staff are ready to pull me back on track.
This is the substance of my faith.
A few years ago, in a moment of madness, or maybe under Holy Spirit’s direction, I asked God if could write him as a character in a story. He seemed keen. Full of enthusiasm, I began this project with a few vague ideas…always one who writes by the seat of my pants. The story progressed well until God, as a character in the story, began to speak more. I panicked. Who was I to think I could put words in God’s mouth…that is…write words that God was speaking to the protagonist?
I shut the file and closed the project.
I tried to think of another story idea…but my creative tank was empty. Months later, I sat in fellowship with a group of writers and asked them to pray about what to write next. And a ‘wh’ came … like a small hurt voice.
~~~What about the book I’m in?~~~
But God I can’t write your words. It seems sacrilegious.
He Promises to put words in our mouth
I remembered He promises to give us every word to speak in front of a judge. How much more will he give me the words to write? I had allowed fear conquer my faith. I needed to write the book by following the good shepherd (the good writer). I determined to just type and not stop to question until the manuscript was done.
What an adventure! A few times I paused when my protagonist was yelling an angry question at God. If I ask this question, I have to type an answer.
Trust God with the Answer
I would remind myself I could trust God with the answer. Then I pushed on. In faith. Often without even a ‘wh’. I learnt the ways and the heart of God as I wrote, writing fresh revelation as it flowed. As I reread the book after it was finished, I marveled at the words God spoke.
That book, El Shaddai, is now in the hands of readers and as I reflect on the writing process, the most important learning is to stay in faith…unquestioning faith.
Faith
For it is by faith that we hear God. We hear according to our belief.
If we say we can’t hear God that will be our truth, our experience.
If we say we only hear through the Word…it will be so.
If we expect God to speak to us in the quiet place, we will hear him there.
If we understand God is waiting to talk all the time, we will hear him often.
As for me, I want to hear my shepherd’s voice along every step of the way. He is my good Shepherd. If he uses me to put his words on paper through my fingers, I know He can lead me on every path he chooses.
I’m still learning, still fighting the fight of faith from which the devil tries hard to divert me. But I’m excited. He is so faithful. If I show up in faith, he’s always ready to bring revelation.
Hi Jo,
Thanks for your devotion on hearing God’s voice. I find that when I sing, especially songs that incorporate Biblical references, I sense his presence and often hear his voice. It usually leads me to pray which then brings comfort, peace and sometimes direction.
I love how God uses different mediums, via the Holy Spirit, to meet us where we’re at.
Blessings,
Carolyn Tonkin
The process of questioning whether it was God’s voice or our own is one I’m very familiar with. I wrestle with it often, wondering if the answer I am hearing is from God or my own mind telling me what I want or don’t want to hear. I’ve learnt over the years that the clearest way God speaks to me is in pictures and visions. I write them down, pray over them, and just try as best as possible to be obedient to what I feel God showing me and wanting me to do. I also share it with my husband and ask him to pray with me, which I find helps.
Thanks for the post, Jo, nice to know I’m not the only one doubting whether or not it’s God’s voice at time!
I hear you on the, ‘if I let them ask that question,then I have to write an answer’! I totally fud that too. It’s a scary thing! But do worth doing.
Lovely post, Jo. I remember my mum talking about going to a John Wimber conference in Canberra back in the day. Interestingly, I receive more direction from the Lord for my writing life than I do in other areas of my life. The test (did He speak to me?) is often obvious in hindsight. For example, He has directed me to not do something-which at the time seemed irrational. I’ve learned over the years (often it’s a hard lesson) to be obedient and follow His direction because He loves and cares for me and knows what I can’t foresee in the future.