This last blog on the subject of listening to God is actually the most difficult to write, simply because it doesn't involve theory, but practice. The real blessing of God is that he is faithful, and he helps us because of his faithfulness, not always because we are so spiritual ourselves. That means, among other things, that God is always trying to get through to us, even when we aren't listening specially well--even when we aren't being particularly intentional about it. This doesn't mean that we will hear what he is saying without stopping and listening, but that He is always attempting to reach us. So how does this work in real time?
Sometimes, as was the case for me this morning, reading Scripture reminds us of some one of the truths of God that He wants to apply to our lives. This is a pretty direct means. It also means that we need 1) to read the Bible, 2) be expectant and open when we. We have addressed this in previous blogs. For me, this morning, it was a word from Ps. 73 which challenged me to stop being envious of what I don't have and start realizing (for the millionth time I suppose) that God is enough. Does the text say "God is enough?" Not exactly like that, but in a very clear fashion, it makes that point. I have to realize that I am envious and admit it for me to hear what God is saying to me here. So listening requires honesty on my part.
Sometimes listening is a bit stranger. I write things in the margins of my Bible--mostly because if I don't I will forget them. Since I always go back to my Bible, they are right there. For some people a journal works better, or a diary or a personal blog that no one else sees. Really organized people would probably cross reference topically . . . You get what I mean. But I am haphazard at my best! So, as I read, I saw a note scribbled across the top of the page. It was meant to remind me of a moment God spoke to me and I listened. What was curious was that the message was a secular song lyric from the 80's that just popped into my mind one day during my quiet time. But it stuck because, in spite of its origin, it's message was not only Biblical, but perfectly aimed at me at that particular time--a time when I was feeling like all I had done for the kingdom just didn't matter all that much and my life had been pointless (Yep, pastors think stupid thoughts too!) The lyrics were from an old Chicago song: "After all that we've been through, I will make it up to you, I promise you."
The practical part of this: God can take most anything and use it as a vehicle to speak to us. And He can do it by simply dropping something into our heads. But note: this has to go through the biblical sieve. Does God owe me anything? Not at all. But the message is that He will be faithful to me, He won't forget me or how my life has unfolded. Whatever is here now, isn't all there is. My favorite music is soft rock. That is where my tastes are, my experience. It is the set of lyrics that most naturally come into my mind. That is what God uses. Whatever your natural environment is, God will use that as a medium of communication. That is part of what incarnation is all about.
Friends. God speaks to us through friends. Some of the hardest conversations I have ever had to have were with friends who, in love, spoke God's corrective words into my life. And some of the greatest moments have been when friends or family have spoken God's affirming words into my life. When a loved one comes to you to speak seriously loving words into your life, whether to correct or affirm, take the position that it may be God moving them to do that. Again, it must all go through the sieve of what the Bible tells us God's voice, values and vision are. If it fits with that, then listen carefully. And give your friends a break. God isn't always speaking affirmation to us, nor always reproof. One friend, to whom I am deeply indebted, just constantly reminded me that if I really wanted to be like God, I would have to be steadfast, faithful, constant, steady and permanent! I didn't want to hear that at the time. All I really wanted to do was go away, escape, disappear, give up. And he helped me hear God's crucial word to me at the time.
Memories. This is a most delicate area. Not all memories can be trusted to be a communication from God, as they are often filled with guilt, fear, self-condemnation and other negative aspects. But not always. God has often used memories to help me find my way back to him, to help me get my head back on straight again, especially in the context of relationships. It happened this morning. A memory from when I was 5 came and reminded me that the only thing I wanted then in my life was God. Just God. When I was 5, God was enough. It reminded me that Jesus was simply right about children. Sometimes they see much more clearly than adults. And I was called back to my true goal in life. The key here is to ask God specifically: "How shall I use this memory so that I might become more like you?" This requires us to not only 'feel' the memory again, but to view it more objectively as well--to lay it before God and ask that question thoughtfully, fearlessly and with every intention of listening. Because, invariably, a thought that looks a lot like an answer will come, if you don't push it.
One last word on seemingly random thoughts. The ones that are probably most useful and most necessary to be heard are the ones that are just a name. I cannot tell you how many times a name has come to mind and I have ignored it. But when I haven't, but have followed up on it: "Your name just came into my head--I just thought of you--and I thought I should check on you and see how things are for you today"--invariably, I have found that my presence was useful to them in some way that I simply couldn't have known about. Sometimes God just drops a name into your head. Listen to that! Go investigate, be available to serve them, to minister God's loving presence to them in whatever situation they find themselves.
This is no book on the subject, but a thoughtful blog on an important aspect of Christian living that is still in process of being worked through by the author, who continues to struggle with listening to God effectively and consistently himself. God bless you richly as you listen.
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