Pretty sure you’ve heard people say, “God told me this,” or, “God said this.” Ever wondered what it was like? I know I have. There was a time when I went around asking practically everyone I know, “how do you know God is speaking to you? How does God speak to you anyway?” At first I used to imagine there was maybe a large voice that seemed to come from nowhere, something that invoked awe at the very least.

But as time has gone by, as I have grown as a Christian, I have come to notice that God does indeed speak to us, not always through words, sometimes it’s something you’ve always seen but somehow seems different that day, sometimes it’s through something that totally unexpected, like a mango falling on your head, I’m not sure what that would mean though. :-). And yes, sometimes you actually do hear the words, not a loud awe-inspiring voice that will drown out everything around it, but a still quiet voice that is rather easy to miss, but yes, once you do hear it, listen to it the awe is in there somewhere…

So how do you know God is talking to you? Another question I asked quite a bit. You just do. Somehow, somewhere there is no doubt as to where that message is coming from. Sure, you can decide to ignore it, its rather easy to, almost too easy, but it always catches up to you… I remember watching a series that was the kind I would definitely like, I remember hearing hat warning; that this is definitely bad for you… I remember ignoring it… I remember finding the books it was based on, reading them and actually enjoying them, but still, at the back of my mind something kept telling me, stay away from those books, yes, they seem harmless, they are definitely a good read; but they are bad for your soul… I ignored it. But at a certain point what I was reading turned so ugly that even I who never wants to skip a word when reading a book skipped almost an entire chapter; by then I had drowned out that voice of warning, but looking back, I realized how easily the book had turned from something very light and funny, to something dark and sinister, taking me along for the ride. Yes, I stopped reading the books then, about ten books into the series, and by then I could feel the damage that had been done, I knew suddenly so clearly what that voice had been warning me against. Sure, I heal, but even the shallowest wounds leave a shadow on your skin, for a while at least

All you have to do is keep your mind open to God, let him in, and sooner or later you will hear it, without a doubt. Sounds easy, huh? The hard part comes in listening to that voice; sometimes it seems like nothing more than a suggestion; but we have been given the gift of free will right? I guess hearing that gigantic awe-inspiring voice would infringe on that; I mean, who on hearing the direct word of God would even consider disobeying it?

I remember thinking I would keep this thing I am doing, this stuff I am writing to myself until I had a few, until I was sure I could keep it going, but I heard that still voice again, heard it just when I was wondering, “now what do I write?” three simple words “Keep the faith…” sure, they could mean anything, it could mean I shouldn’t give up on any number of things, could mean however bad things get, just hang in there, things will get better, but at that particular moment, even though there were a hundred and one things running through my mind, I had no doubt what it meant…

As one of the heroes in a game I enjoy playing keeps saying, “I hear and obey.” This time at least, I will obey, and pray for God’s grace that I may always do so. Have a blessed week. Thanks for reading.