God talks to me?

Mystics are fairly well-versed in discerning the voice of God. In other words, they know which thoughts and ideas are from God and which are not. Most of us, however, have much practice to do to get this discernment right, and we must attend to this task because thoughts and ideas are primary avenues for communication from God.

I passed two kids walking. I was on my way to the store. After a quarter mile or so, this thought rushed into my mind: turn around; go back to those kids. I’m no mystic, but I knew that one had to be obeyed. I turned the car around and headed back. Another car, one full of older kids, had slowed and the occupants were threatening the walkers. As I approached, they backed off. I asked the two walkers if I could take them home, and they climbed into the back seat.

Discernment. Sometimes it is very clear. Most of the time, it is not.

What we must realize is God speaks to us in this way. If the idea is uplifting, if the thought is affirming, challenging, and you know downright good, it is time to consider the very real possibility that you’re being spoken to by God.

And is there a danger inherent in this? Surely! It is dangerous. We can’t go around justifying what we think or do by saying, “God told me so.” No. We have to listen, hear, discern, and then accept responsibility for our understanding and application of what we hear. We have to own it, to use today’s parlance.

Here is a no-brainer. If you are in the depths, and some version of this thought occurs — “I am loved. I am forgiven. I just need to try, and God’s grace will help me.” — you can pretty well know, God is speaking. Acknowledge that. Sit with that.

Oh, how often God speaks words of comfort, challenge, and encouragement, and we don’t take the time to welcome the message. That is a tragedy, and why? Because in the hearing, in the welcoming of those words comes power, ability, wisdom, love — all that is of God. And that power, that ability, by the way, is confirmation indeed.

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Reflection

How often in your life have you experienced encouraging, insightful, challenging, comforting thoughts and ideas that seemed to come “out of nowhere?”

Prayer

Dear God, this is hard. I’m not used to the idea that You would talk to me. But I know You do talk to us. You do inspire. Teach me to pay attention, Lord. I know I’m not to expect or look for earth-shattering ideas, and the Bible tells me not to look for proofs or future happenings. You speak when we need to hear. Help me to look back on the my life and see all the times when You did, indeed, speak. Amen.