when God speaks

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from 1 Samuel 2:22 - 4:22. In this delightful story, we read about God speaking to Samuel for the first time. When Samuel is alone at night, just before bed, he hears God calling out to him. Eventually Eli explains that it's God and that Samuel should say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."

Now God doesn't speak to all of us the same way. Some of you are morning people, and God probably speaks to you in the A.M. For me, it's more like Samuel - He speaks to me at night, before bed. But it's not just WHEN God speaks to us that's a little different for all of us.

Some people have actually heard audible voices. Jesus and His disciples did, multiple times. On the mount of Transfiguration and when Jesus was baptized, they heard God's voice from heaven, speaking. But God doesn't usually speak to us that way.

For many people, God speaks to them through the Bible. One time I was praying, and I said to God, "I feel close to You, the Father, and I feel close to the Holy Spirit. But I feel... estranged... from Jesus. I don't know why." And I picked up my Bible and opened it. The very first verse I saw said, "You feel estranged from Jesus because...." My jaw hit the floor. I couldn't believe that God had answered my prayer so CLEARLY through the Bible. He doesn't always do it that way. Opening your Bible and doing the first thing you see can be dangerous. There's a story of a man who opened His Bible and read, "Judas went and hanged himself." He closed his Bible and his heart was beating fast. He said, that was just strange. It'll be better this time. He opened his Bible again and read, "Go and do likewise." (This is a joke, but it shows how you have to be careful just opening the Bible and doing what you see.)

But there is another, far more normal, way that God speaks to us through the Bible. There have been MANY times when I'll read a passage from the Bible, and then later that same day someone will ask me a question, and the answer to their question JUST HAPPENS to be in the reading I read that same day. It's like God is giving me the answers to the test. Of course, this works alot better if we spend time reading the Bible each day.

So the take home message is this: God is speaking to you. As we read in the story of Elijah, He often speaks to us in a "still, small voice." So when you get quiet, and stay quiet, and put aside distractions and listen for Him... you might find yourself getting a message from Him. If you suddenly think of your classmate from high school that you haven't talked to in years, say a prayer for them. If you still have them on your mind really powerfully, send them a message. One time I was praying and a very good friend came to mind. I sent them a message on FB and said, "Hey, can you tell me why I suddenly feel like I should pray for you?" And they replied, "My husband lost his job today. Thank you for praying for us!"

If you feel like God is telling you to help someone, just do it! If you feel like God wants you to give away all your money and become homeless, check with a spiritual director. Maybe, like St Francis of Assisi, He really is calling you to do that. But maybe it's just a thought you had. Having a spiritual director is really helpful for discernment. If you think God is telling you to kill someone, then you should definitely see a spiritual director. And don't kill anyone. (That's a rule of thumb to live by.)

God is speaking to you. Are you listening?

Thank You for speaking to us, God. Teach us to listen.