My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. (John 10:27 ) Do you go through your day expecting to hear the voice of God? Certainly God would not tell us to listen if He did not intend to speak to us.
Uncovering purpose in your everyday life is linked to your willingness to listen for God’s voice; the inner small voice, which desires to direct your steps daily. “A man’s mind plans his way, {as he journeys through life}, but the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.” (Proverbs 16:9 AMP)
Is your daily agenda so regimented you would be unable to follow a detour if God so directed? Are you surrounded by so much noise, it is almost impossible to hear the still small voice of God?
Many people struggle with discernment when it comes to hearing the voice of God. There are many different ways in which God speaks to us. Today, I want to focus on the voice we hear deep within our spirits; the still small voice of the Lord.
When I discovered the mystery of hearing the voice of the Lord for myself, I was eager to learn how; I was all in for this journey! “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)
We can train our spiritual ears to be sensitive to the voice of God.
Often times when God speaks to my heart, He is challenging me to step into deeper waters of faith. Teaching me to trust Him more and rely less on the ways of this world. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
God will light the path for your steps, steering you into His plans for your day. Things do not happen by ‘coincidence’. You are not reading this article by coincidence; God desires to speak to you. Are you listening?
The world is in chaos; everyone is looking for answers. We, as children of the most high God, have direct access to His wisdom. We should be an extension of the voice of God, hence the power of God, in our homes, churches, and communities!
It was a Sunday morning, I was sitting in church, and there was to be a baby dedication. As the mom and dad walked across the platform to meet the Pastor, the little boy was clinging tightly to his dad. The father turned slightly so the baby’s face was now looking towards the congregation. The pastor began to pray, we all had outstretched arms extending blessings over the baby. I noticed the little boy also had his tiny hand extended out towards the congregation. At that moment, I heard the voice of the Lord in my spirit saying, “There is a special anointing upon this child to preach. Tell the parents to protect this anointing and when their son is older instruct him to always protect this anointing”.
Astonished by what I heard, I watched as the family walked off stage, and straight into the crowded sanctuary. Quickly, I lost sight of them. Immediately, I began to think, what should I do? I do not know these people and I have no idea where they are sitting.
What seems like an impossible situation to us is not impossible with God. (Mark 10:27)
I clearly remember praying, ‘God, if you want me to share this word, you will surely have to make a way for this to happen’. The Pastor began preaching and my thoughts shifted to his message.
As the service ended and I was walking out of the sanctuary, I found myself looking for this couple. I was expecting to see them, only they were nowhere in sight.
When God has something for you to do, He will always bring it to pass.
As I was standing in the lobby after service, some friends spotted me and came over to chat.
After a short conversation, they invited my husband and I out for lunch. We had not planned on going out after church; we wanted to go home to watch the final round of the Master’s Golf Tournament. I looked at Bryan and surprisingly, he said sure! They then recommended a restaurant, (one we do not usually frequent), and we agreed to meet them there.
We sat chatting and eating for over an hour. We were done with lunch when I noticed a woman walking past our table. I realized this woman was the mother of the baby who was dedicated. I curiously watched her as she walked back to her seat.
God has unique ways to unequivocally let us know He is in Charge!
God had answered my prayer. Surely, He had made a way for me to connect with this couple. What now? Do I move out in faith, jump into the deep waters, or do I stay comfortably seated?
Being out of our comfort zone is the place where we will see God’s glory manifest.
My faith was being stretched…
What do you do when your faith is being stretched? Do you trust God will go with you, or do you shrink back and choose to stay in your comfort zone?
I will admit, I thought about staying right where I was.
Have you been there, standing at the crossroads between your insecurity and God’s purpose?
God’s purpose is always best!
As if something within was propelling me forward, I made my way towards the couple who now was surrounded by several other people. I introduced myself and told them I was in church with them earlier. I proceeded to share with them what God had spoken to me during the baby’s dedication.
As I began to share, the mom began to cry, the dad listened attentively, and the others who were standing nearby began to smile. You know, that smile which implies someone knows something you don’t know! What happened next took me by surprise!
One of the women standing next to the couple went on to explain how this baby was a ‘miracle baby’. The mom had been told she could not have children. During the mother’s season of infertility, she attended a prayer meeting. As she was being prayed for she was told not to doubt, God would give her a child. During this same prayer meeting, she was also told about a vision of a microphone. The mom shared how she could not imagine what the microphone represented… Until NOW!
God’s ways are not our ways and God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8)
They thanked me for taking the time to speak with them. We hugged, and I headed back to my table elated to convey with everyone what had just happened.
God is speaking to His children every day, are you listening for His call upon your heart?
Each day, consciously expect to hear the voice of God giving you direction. Be aware of His omnipresence and be willing to cooperate with Him to uncover purpose in your everyday life.
I was so thankful we took a divine detour on this particular Sunday afternoon.
God is calling you! He is calling to ask if you will be His hands, His feet, and His voice…. Will you answer His call?
-Lucy Ann
Challenge Question:
In what way is God speaking to you, perhaps calling you out of your comfort zone? Is it the phone call you need to make, the forgiveness you need to extend to a friend or the act of service He is prompting you towards?
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dee leitch says
Trying to be still and listen to these ” nudges” from the Lord has not been easy for me. Nor leaving my comfort zone. I just continue to pray for his strength and grace so I may have the courage to respond when he speaks to me. Thank you for reinforcing my efforts with your words of wisdom and leading by example.
Lucy Ann says
Hi Dee,
I totally understand how difficult this process can be. I want to encourage you, keep pressing on! The world needs what you have to offer and God knows how to position you.I stand in agreement with your prayer for God’s strength and grace. May God supernaturally strengthen you and give you courage.
Blessings 🙂
Jordy says
Dee, isn’t it amazing that God does speak, we hear his voice and he empowers us. It’s truly supernatural.
I have Christian friends that I’ve shared with about how God has led me to do various things and the outcomes of being obedient were astonishing. Some of them have responded as if they don’t hear God leading them the way that I sometimes do.
I recall a specif prayer I offered about ten years ago. “God I want to hear, know and understand your voice”. He answered that prayer. I’ve not heard an audible voice, but through experiences I’ve learned more of how God directs my steps.
Jordy says
Wow, what a beautiful story Lucy Ann, go God!
I was in a meeting once, sitting behind a lady who I knew. As I was listening to the speaker, I felt compelled to tell this lady in front of me that “you are not alone”. Oh yeah, it was that strong, empowered, deep in my spirit thought that was accompanied with the grace of God. I sat there for the next half hour or so with this compelling power turning within me to tell her as the meeting continued. I felt like I was going to explode if I didn’t tell her (how to you explain the promptings of God?). When the meeting ended and it was time to socialize, I struck up a conversation with her. I remember saying something like this, “you might think this is odd, but I feel there’s something God wants me to share with you. He wants you to know you are not alone”. Instantly, tears flooded her eyes and she couldn’t hold them back. When she gained composure, she shared the most amazing thing with me. She said that earlier that day, while she was vacuuming, she was crying uncontrollably in her home as she was overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions of being alone.
Bulls eye!
Lucy Ann says
God hits the target every time! Thanks for sharing Jordy. I love to hear ‘God stories’. God is constantly at work in us and around us. It is up to us to cooperate with Him so He can work through us! Thanks for being a blessing Jordy! 🙂
Blessings!