Whispers

            Lately, I’ve been reading a lot about whispers, specifically, the whispers of God. The thing about whispers is that you really have to be listening closely to hear them. You have to be paying attention or you might miss them. You have to have your ears wide open in order to hear a gentle whisper. You might even need to have your eyes fixed on the direction of the whisperer in order to fully grasp what is being whispered. Listening closely is the key.

            I used to be a very shy and quiet person. I know it’s hard to believe, but ask someone who knew me in high school or a friend who knew me in my early adult years. I was so shy and quiet that if a person called on me to speak in a group or to pray out loud, my heart would race, I would almost melt into my seat in fear. Well, I still have some of those characteristics in certain situations, but most of the time, I’m a talker and sometimes I forget to listen. Sometimes I’m not a good listener at all. That is why this whole whispering thing has gotten my attention of late.

            In my early adult years I was so excited about my faith and about growing spiritually that I hungered to hear whatever God was trying to say to me. I was starving for His voice and direction. I longed to know what His plans for me were, I deeply desired to know and follow His ways. I remember that longing and that desperation to please Him. Everything was so exciting! Well, the older I got, the more the things of life seemed to suck the air right out of my lungs at times. I lost some of that hunger. I got busy serving. I allowed life’s circumstances to affect my joy level and my longing for more of Jesus. Sometimes I still do that even today. You’d think I’d have it down at my age! But I am still learning. I don’t ever want to stop learning. I truly hope that I am a better listener today than I was a year ago or even months ago.

            God is trying to teach me again to hunger for more of Him and His Word. It is always an ongoing process. I am learning to allow Him to rekindle that deep hunger in me again to hear Him and to wait on His direction. It’s a little harder on some days because again, I let the darkness of this life hide Him from me. Sometimes His glory is hidden from me by my own sin or the dark things of this world. Thankfully, He never stops whispering. He never stops calling me to Himself. He is always speaking, always working, always the same. He never changes, ever.

            I am reading a book right now about God’s whispers and how they changed and guided one man’s life. I read this last night and it really tugged at my heart. He said, “When the circumstances of your life start to shift…at least consider that it might be due to God. When you find yourself in a state of confusion or curiosity about the way things are going, go ahead and ask him if there’s something he’d like to say to you. Open your hands, open your heart, heighten your attentiveness to any small way he might want to communicate to you, and then agree in advance that you will comply with whatever he says…” (Bill Hybels, The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God. Having the Guts to Respond, 55) There have been many seasons in my life recently and I’ve often wondered what God is up to. At times, I’ve felt like my life circumstances have shifted a LOT! It does cause me to be a bit confused, curious and at times, even a little afraid. I start asking questions like, “What am I here for God?” “What good am I to You and Your kingdom?” “What is next for me?” “What doYou want me to do now?” “What in the world are You doing God?” “Am I of any use to You?” These kind of thoughts make me anxious or even sad at times. I start to let all kinds of lies fill my head and eventually it paralyzes me. And that is exactly where our enemy, the devil wants us.

            Well, according to Hybels, and more importantly, according to God’s Word, if we just take the time to ask Him and then, take the time to be still and listen, we’ll hear from God and He will direct our ways. He will guide us. We do not need to be anxious about anything. We can trust that He is listening to us and hears our pleas. We have to do our part and pay attention. I cannot express in words how strongly I want to get this right. Deep in my deepest gut I yearn to hear the Father’s voice and to obey it. More than anything I want to be walking in obedience. I want to know and live out God’s best. I want to live a life that shows Jesus to others. I want to please my Father and to leave a legacy of faith when I am gone. In fact, I don’t want to wait until I’m gone, I want to live out a life of faith NOW! If you are reading this and if you will, please pray with me that I will open my heart, my hands and especially my ears to hear what God has to say. I do not want to miss anything that He is trying to say. I pray this for all of you as well. I pray this regularly for my adult kids, my husband, myself, my friends and family and for my church. I’m reminded of something I used to say to the little ones I taught in Sunday School many years ago. I would say to them, “Let’s all put on our listening ears now and hear what Jesus is saying to us today.” Well, I hope we have our listening ears on today and I hope God has something very special to say to us. Listen…can you hear Him?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

“The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV)

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 (NIV)

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 (ESV)

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)

Also see – John 16:13; Isaiah 30:21; Hebrews 2:1

I had to run and errand before I got this posted today. As soon as I turned on my car radio, there was a song playing called, “Help Me Find It” by Sidewalk Prophets. God whispered LOUDLY to me through this song. I had to add it to this post even if it makes it a little lengthy. Give it a listen. It says very clearly what I was trying to say in my post today. Thank You God for Your whispers!

I don’t know where to go from here

 It all used to seem so clear
 I’m finding I can’t do this on my own
 I don’t know where to go from here
 As long as I know that You are near
 I’m done fighting
 I’m finally letting go

 I will trust in You
 You’ve never failed before
 I will trust in You

 If there’s a road I should walk

 Help me find it
 If I need to be still
 Give me peace for the moment
 Whatever Your will
 Whatever Your will
 Can you help me find it
 Can you help me find it

 I’m giving You fear and You give faith

 I giving you doubt
 You give me grace
 For every step I’ve never been alone
 Even when it hurts, You’ll have Your way
 Even in the valley I will say
 With every breath
 You’ve never let me go

 I will wait for You

 You’ve never failed before
I will wait for You

 If there’s a road I should walk
 Help me find it
 If I need to be still
 Give me peace for the moment
 Whatever Your will
 Whatever Your will
 Can you help me find it
 Can you help me find it

 I lift my empty hands (come fill me up again)
 Have Your way my King (I give my all to You)
 I lift my eyes again (Was blind but now I see)
‘Cause You are all I need