Category Archives: Hearing God

One of the reasons we focus on learning to hear and recognize the Lord’s voice, and how to test what we hear, is because God often makes Himself the most real when He shows up in the small moments of our lives. We want to be able to recognize and respond to every overture He makes toward us, no matter how small.

You may sense a gentle tug in your awareness, or a song or word, or a sense of His presence that you have come to know through your waiting times. How do you respond? Simply, “Lord, I’m available. How do You want me to respond?” If you are doing something that can’t be interrupted, think of yourself spreading a protective covering like a tent around the awareness of His presence, then get back to Him as soon as you can.

There are times when God knocks on our door, then withdraws, so that we have to go out of our way to find Him. God wants to be wanted, and He wants us to prioritize our lives around Him. There are also times when He has an urgent message, and He makes His presence and message clear and His direction obvious. We learn to respond immediately, and ask questions later.

Sometimes He comes to us “about something,” and we pay attention to the content of His communication. But sometimes He comes to us, simply to be with us. The notion that God enjoys our company is something that most of us have a hard time with, let alone that He will intrude on our lives just to keep us company, that He enjoys our companionship.

The more quickly and peacefully we respond to God’s overtures, however they come, the more likely He is to expand on this way of making Himself known to us. This greatly benefits us, in that He can provide direction, warning, encouragement to us when and as we need it, as well as teach us to provide direction, warning and encouragement to others as each need arises.

Say you’re walking down the street and you notice yourself thinking about a friend, an acquaintance or your boss, and as you think about that person the draw of intercession falls. You find a private place to sit or stand and give yourself to that intercession. You may not know what it is about, and you don’t need to know, but you give yourself to that presence. Eventually it lifts, and you go about your day. This is just another form of ministry, the Spirit of God flowing to and through you, and is just as important and valuable as any pre-planned ministry.

Becoming aware of His possible involvement at any moment will keep you from compartmentalizing God’s presence in your life. As your awareness increases, you will begin to notice Him more (He was always there, you just didn’t notice Him).

This is also one way He teaches us to overcome the world system of Time as we learn to step back from our daily lives and experience every moment as an opportunity for God to make himself known to us.

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“Lord, I give you permission to interrupt whatever I’m doing, whoever I’m with, and whatever I’m thinking about.

No matter how you come to me, Don’t Let Me Miss You!”

Quite a few years ago I was involved in a national cause in which I believed there was a great injustice being committed. I spent several months rallying people, raising money, garnering publicity, even arranging for appearances on the Sean Hannity television program.

About a month in, God was able to break through my passion and say, “I can handle this. I don’t need your help.”

But it was too late. I was emotionally and practically committed.

I threw myself into the cause. I would wake up in the middle of the night with new ways to bring attention to the cause. This situation had to be seen for the travesty that it was. I was sincere and passionate.

Finally the situation came to a resolution, and all the cards were on the table. I found out I didn’t have all the facts. The great injustice, wasn’t. Justice was done, despite my help.

Relieved but a little embarrassed, I heard God gently say, “What about ‘I can handle this, I don’t need your help’ did you not understand?”

Over time I thought about all of the time and energy I had wasted over those months. Not that they weren’t already redeemed, but I wanted to make sure I learned any lessons I could. He started to teach me the difference between our job and His. Its a lifelong lesson, but I’m working on it.

Today there are a lot of things to be stressed out about, and a lot of opportunity to Support a Cause and Get Involved. But the first thing I do, is to find out if God needs my help, if there is anything that I need to do differently.

I don’t want to be sticking my nose in His business, and I want to make sure I’m taking care of mine.

I don’t need to help Him, to change His mind, to convince Him to do things a certain way.

I don’t need to fast, or pray, or humble myself, or repent.

Unless He tells me to.

That’s where I start. What is He telling Me to do? What is He saying To Me?

If you’re stressed, maybe that’s a good place to start.

Do you know what God wants you to be doing? Are you doing it?

Give Him a chance to talk to you about what’s causing your stress. You may be surprised to hear, “I can handle this. I don’t need your help.” Then you can be about working on the projects He HAS assigned to you.

“Lord, is there anything I should be doing that I’m not? Any activity or involvement I need to cut back on? I understand my duties as a citizen of this world, and I am committed to fulfilling those responsibilities, but is there anything else you want to draw my attention to?”

Over time let Him change your desires and direction, or recognize the peace in the place you’re at now. Give Him opportunity, and He will be your guide.