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I remember when I was a child, on a number of occasions I would be playing or walking somewhere and someone would whisper my name. I'd turn around and look, but no-one was there nor would I see anyone looking my direction.
I've often thought back to those moments. Could it have been God whispering my name? Perhaps. Or maybe it was just wind in my ears and a broad imagination, yet God has been known to literally call out to people. Check out the story of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3.
Yet, as I have walked with God for nearly thirty years, I have learned to discern His voice and understand when it is Him talking to me or when it is my own thoughts, or even the voice of the enemy. How do I do it? Glad you asked!
Ways we hear God
Probably the most crucial point to hearing God is by having a relationship with Him. Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me."
Did you know that a sheep will be able to pick out his/her Shepherd's voice even above hundreds of other bleating animals in a barnyard? Why is that? Because they get to know the one who cares for them; the one who feeds them and protects; the one who finds them when they are lost or binds their wounds. They develop a relationship with their shepherd, and the same goes for us. When we become a child of God and we follow Him, and He cares for us, we begin to recognize His voice.
Second, we learn to hear God's voice through stillness. Ain't nobody got time for that, right? Well, if you want to hear from God, you and I often have to get away from the chaos, turn off the phone, and spend time being silent and still. Does it take work and practice? Yes. It is difficult and sometimes awkward to simply sit and listen, but it is often in those quiet moments when we can hear Him the loudest.
Third, we can hear God through others. Have you ever had someone send you a random text message or walk up and proclaim something over you which made you step back and go, "Whoa! That's You, God!"? Well, I have, and though those moments are far and few between, I know when someone out of the blue tells me something, I'd better stop and pay attention.
Fourth, we can learn to hear God's voice through scripture. The writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 4:12 that the "word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Meaning, God's Word is alive and He uses it to speak to us about things we need to learn, convict us where we need to change, and help us grow into a mature believer. Every word in the Word are His Words. Remember that. The Bible is His love letter to you and to me.
There are many other ways God speaks to us, but I would say the fifth way is through prayer. When we spend time on our knees with God; when we pour out our heart and talk to Him about our struggles, our fears, our needs, and yes, even our desires, He speaks to us. He guides our thinking. He begins to work and shape and mold our heart and will to fit His.
Prayer is a very powerful thing, and if we are not spending time getting to know Him through it, we are missing out on some valuable lessons. Make a point to find a time to pray uninterrupted every day. I promise, it will change things.
Conclusion
God speaks to us in so many ways but half the time we miss it. Let's just be honest, you and I are busy and don't take the time we should to spend with God. Yet, if we will, hearing God's voice is such a rewarding experience and can absolutely alter the course of your life.
He is such a good God to want to converse with us. Who knows...maybe you, too, will hear your name being whispered when nobody else is around.
Kristi