Have you ever been in that space, in that situation, when you wonder if it was really God you heard, or yourself? You are not alone. I have. Several times.
Before I delve into today’s subject matter (a really serious one), I kindly ask that you be openhearted. Relax. God still speaks. We just need to listen, attentively.
Certain decisions in life ought not to be taken haphazardly. Let me do justice to my previous statement. God ought to be at the helm of affairs in every aspect of our lives. I bet some of us do not like the sound of that. That certainly calls for denying ourselves of certain pleasures I need not mention. Be that as it may, nothing gives more clarity to one’s life’s mission like DIVINE DIRECTION.
When I used the word “heard”, I did not necessarily mean a majestic, yet, awe provoking baritone voice of God. Honestly, I’m yet to hear God speak to me in that manner. For the number of years I’ve walked closely with God, I can count probably less than twenty-five times I’ve heard God utter words to me in a mild but audible tone. Most times, I mean – almost every time, when God spoke to me, He expressed His words with His still small voice, the voice of The Holy Spirit. My best description of His voice will be ‘a spark of light that comes from the depth of my belly’.
If you are someone like me who hears God more, through the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, you and I know that being still is a nonnegotiable necessity to hear God speak. I do not mean standing on one spot like a statue. Not at all. We must be calm, especially within. Do you know? One can look quiet on the outside yet in her silence, be screaming the most. I used to have a very noisy, distracted soul in my 2nd year as an undergraduate, but, thank God – Prayer doesn’t just change things! It changes people too!
Friend, never claim to hear God when you are in a hurry to make a decision. I repeat. Never claim to hear God… One factor already disqualifies you from hearing and listening in that situation, not to mention obeying. That factor is spelled out as A-N-X-I-E-T-Y.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 [NKJV]
You have a sensitive question. You are in dire need of something. You got a critical decision to make. You need divine direction. As a Child of God, what do you do? I can’t answer for you, but I’ll tell you what I do, what I almost always do. I pray to our Father, God.
The answers to your prayers are not determined by your location or body position, but by your heart condition. It’s a pity some of us forget who we are and Who we have. This makes us seek God’s face with doubt in our hearts. Thoughts like “Will God do it for me?” already rule our thinking before we come to His Throne of Grace. Some of us call on God out of fear. Not the fear of God, but fear of the situation. Little wonder, many a time, we make irrational decisions in the face of oppositions.
When I think back at some mistakes I’ve made – wrong choices, wrong directions etc., I can only thank God for Grace. The more I think, the more I realize that 90 times out of a hundred, I made my decisions hastily. I was too in a hurry. I was filled with anxiety. In cases where I did nothing, I was most definitely paralyzed with fear. Why? Because I magnified the situations more than I magnified God. I placed my focus on the wrong things.
“They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.” Psalms 34:5 [KJV]
Many persons are only interested in seeking God’s hands, not His Face, not His will. They only need God to bless their decisions, whether or not it will lead to their undoing. They forget that God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Blessed be God who does not always give us what we ask for. If only we see the bigger picture…
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” James 2:2-7 [NLT]
Some persons do not have affinity for the words “ENDURANCE and PATIENCE”. We like the quick-fix approach, the microwave order of delivery. If that is you, please, go anywhere else for solutions, but, do not go to God. I wish I could tell you otherwise, but I’ll be doing you a disservice if I hold back the truth. Your making is in your waiting. If you are frantic, in a hurry, anxious, in need of direction from God, and you present a question like “to go or not to go?”, guess who will be leading you? Your Flesh!
Dearest One, let your faith be only in God. Do not be double minded. Be patient. Actively wait on the Lord. Note that our actions, hasty or not, cannot be undone. Put your absolute trust in God. Beyond seeking to hear His voice, do His written Word. (Even when you hear God’s voice, make sure that whatever you hear corroborates the Scriptures, because there are many voices. Do not be deceived.) God’s will is located in His Word. He will never lead us wrong.
I earnestly pray that from today henceforth, you shall be divinely guided through life’s journey. You will never miss out on God’s agenda for your life in Jesus’ Name. Amen. Beloved, stay blessed and divinely led, until I write to you next time.
With Selfless Love,
Abba’s Daughter – Your Sister
Great article! It spoke to me in so many ways. Thank you
This was like fire shot up in my bones!
“My best description of His voice will be ‘a spark of light that comes from the depth of my belly’”
“Your making is in your waiting.”
This entire post is a blessing! Keep going sis!!!
I’m sooo glad it did! God bless you Ma’am! Thank you too.
Amen and amen!!!! I’m so glad it’s a blessing! God bless you loads, Sis! Thank you.