I’m driving; listening to my favorite radio station, but something seems unsettled in my mind. It's as if my stomach is churning, because I ate the wrong thing or the beginning of stomach flu, but it's in my mind. It’s an awareness of unresolved matters that are pressing in, yet muddled, indiscernible, and non-descriptive.
It concerns me and I must pull over to the curb for a minute. “What is it, God?” I ask. I believe He will reveal the issues that are cluttering my mind if I turn off the radio and surround myself with silence.
The radio is now off; I’m parked under one of the trees that line the street; waiting. “What is it, God?” I’m still awaiting an answer, but nothing yet… Yes! It’s coming to me now! I’m writing as fast as I can; careful to not miss anything that God is speaking to my mind. I knew that He would. I only had to be patient and wait.
The Lord is saying that in order to hear His voice I must listen, because He speaks softly; environment matters, regarding noise. How can a person hear God speaking if the radio is blasting or an I-pod speaker is stuck in their ear? Gabbing on the phone for hours or surfing the internet are other forms of noise. They captivate one’s mind. It takes quietness and discipline to hear God.
We need to separate and detune ourselves from noise, which will limit the affect it has on us. We are so accustomed to noise that when silence prevails we sometimes look at it with distain and call it, ‘deafening quiet’. We miss noise when it’s not there.
Jesus saw the need of stealing away to a place of solace; apart from doubt and questions from inquiring minds. He needed quietness to hear the voice of His Heavenly Father. Whether on a boat away from shore or alone in the hills, personal time with God was a must.
If Jesus, the son of God, sought quiet time with God, how much greater is the need for you and me to do likewise? Jesus knew the voice of God, because He spent time with Him.
The problem with people today, the voices they hear are not distinct. If God is speaking, His voice is unrecognizable, because of the noise that is around us and the clamor of unclean spirits that are masking God’s voice. It is important for our wellbeing that we recognize who is speaking so we don’t listen to the wrong voice that is trying to lead us astray. For the most part, Christians desire God’s will in their life, yet they find little time to steal away and seek His voice.
My Father-in-law once told me that when a person receives Jesus Christ into their heart they are in the will of God, but finding God’s direction is another matter. Direction comes when we listen to God speaking through the words recorded in the Bible; in our devotional times when we pray; and in that special, quiet place where we can just listen and drink in the beauty of God’s majesty.
Learning to recognize God’s voice is imperative. Sheep know the shepherd’s voice, and follow. They know the softness of his tone and the tenderness of his touch, because they spend time with him.
Spending time with God enhances our ability to know His voice when He speaks. When we turn off the radio, television, I-pod, computer and cell phone, our personal awareness and recognition of God develops as we commune with Him. This allows us to distinguish His voice from voices that communicate lies and ill advice.
Hearing and knowing God’s voice is our safeguard against evil.
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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