What do you mean you can "hear God?"

I often sit across from people, and with perplexed faces they ask "what do you mean you can you hear God?" Let me just start by saying, I don't hear an audible voice, or see Jesus coming down from the clouds. I simply mean that I've learned to identify the subtle ways He communicates. He's always communicating: through people and things, in thoughts and in whispers. I'm not any more special or unique than anyone else. I'm not more capable than anyone else to hear God's voice. I'm just lucky enough to have been taught how. We are all able to hear God's voice, but it might look different for some of us. It takes patience to learn to identify it, and to find the way you hear Him best, but if you commit yourself to it, you will find Him.

When I say I "hear God," I'm referring to that "still small voice" (See 1 Kings 19:11-12) that each of us hear in our minds from time to time. You know, that "something" in your heart warning you that someone or something isn't good for you? A sudden nudge in your heart encouraging you to do something kind? That burning feeling that you need to take that brave step? Many times this is how God speaks to me (and YOU!)... reaching out to be a part of our lives and help us. But many of us have brushed it off, not realizing the importance of that nudge until it's already past.

When you commit your life to God, there is a "switch" that flips on where that voice starts to become a little more clear. Christians call that being "filled with the spirit." Our hearts swell within us and we feel an overwhelming warmth & love. We begin thinking new thoughts, feeling new desires. As we start to read scripture, we start to see all of the times that voice/nudge has been giving us the same encouragement that we can find inside the Bible (Romans 12:2). As we read about Jesus and the way He lived His life, it suddenly just starts to makes sense. Sometimes we even begin to "hear" God in new ways. (See John 10:27)

Jeremiah 29: 13 "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart"

God is kind enough to speak with us in the ways we uniquely need to hear. I want to encourage you (even if you have heard from God many times before), to try different ways of listening. If nothing else, to find out what doesn't work for you. While this is not an exhaustive list, I want to share a few ways people can experience hearing God's voice:

In "listening" prayer or meditation

Psalm 1:2 "... delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night."

Listening prayer is simply the practice of taking time to slow down and focus on calming your heart and mind in order to re-focus on God. I will often take slow deep breaths, counting down from 30, and slowly release any stress and tightness in my body. With my breath, I will imagine releasing some things to God as I breathe out, and/or taking in God's love as I breathe in. Just that practice alone is so helpful. But often, I will take the time to either focus on a scripture passage, ask God a question, or just be still and invite Jesus to be there with me. I don't try to force anything, I just let my mind go where it needs to go. Some days I "hear" that still small voice a lot; some days I hear nothing. Many days I just imagine Jesus there with me. I always feel more peace. It's important to distinguish thoughts from God vs. those that come from elsewhere; Know that God doesn't speak in fear, cruelty, or judgement but He always longs to heal us, guide us, build us and love us. (see Romans chapter 8)

Journaling/reflection

Taking time to reflect, journal, and write down lessons you're learning can be so transformative. God is always teaching us meaning through life's experiences and our encounters with others. Often times as I start to write, it almost feels as though God Himself takes a hold of my pen and helps me to write it out. Thoughts begin to come to me as I process; I know they are from Him if they are wiser, more loving, more selfless, or more encouraging than I would naturally be. As I process, I find the answers & solutions are right there on the page. That's how it looks for me, but journaling doesn't have to look like that for you. If you're not sure where to start, here's a practice that can help! It's called "G.R.I.T." In sections, write out: 1) Gratitude (5 things you're grateful for) 2) Revelation (lessons from life or scripture) 3) Intercession (your prayers... both asked and answered) 4) Target (your intentions for the day of how you want to be/what you want to do). This is just a tool to help bring focus, but there really are no rules! Just write (or draw)! :)

Observing nature

Job 12:7-10 "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."

As the creator of the Universe, God weaved His own personality into the systems and beauty of our planet. We can see the way He does things by observing the patterns in nature... for example, the sun: examine how sets so beautifully and so consistently. How it warms us, and gives us light. How it grows plants and how it blazes in the desert. That's just a sliver; There are countless lessons to be found through watching His processes. I love getting out in nature and hiking, watching the waves at the beach, or staring at flowers- there's always a way to see God's heart in each moment. Maybe you enjoy woods, or mountains, or rivers... whatever feels joyful to you, getting outside is good for the soul. Try it out!

In reading scripture

We call the Bible the "word of God" because we believe that it was inspired by God and was meant to give us stories of both warning and encouragement, provide guidance and to help us live up to all God has called us to be. Reading the Bible is like reading God's own story, and hearing His heart. Scripture says that as we read it, it transforms us. (Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:16) I encourage people to start by reading the Gospel of Luke first and completing the New Testament before going to the Old Testament. Always keep that in mind that it had meaning to the people it was originally written to, but how we see it thousands of years later requires careful contextual reading.

Visions/Dreams

Some people are able to see "visions," or pictures in their minds of something God is wanting to show them, or communicate to them. Countless men and women throughout scripture experienced this, as do modern day believers. This can happen during prayer, while you're sleeping, when singing in worship or even throughout the day as your mind wanders. It could be as simple as a picture or an idea, OR it could be as elaborate as an entire scene playing out in their minds eye. It could be symbolic or realistic. Some people have said God even appeared to them directly and spoke to them (this is rare, but not unheard of). Others might see something in a dream, and when the wake up the dream remains until we process it. You might try asking God to speak to you while you dream, or to show you a picture of what He wants to say to you. Close your eyes and wait patiently. Write it down if you see something, and ask for clarification if needed.

In closing: Connecting with God and hearing His voice doesn't have to follow anyone else's formula. It can look many ways. As you read through these, hopefully something sparked your memory of a time or way God communicated with you in one of these ways, whether you realized it in that moment or not. I hope it's inspired you to try something new. God wants to speak with you, and if you seek after Him you WILL find Him. It' a promise He makes, and keeps.

2 Chronicles 15:2 The Lord is with you while you are with him. IF you seek him, he will be found by you."