Some describe it as a still small voice. Others ‘hear’ through the sage advice of brothers and sisters. Then there’s Words that leap to life and stir up the abundant life in our hearts.
Hearing from God isn’t as planned, controllable, or easy.
Waiting. Straining. Desiring the next step so desperately. Clinging to Hope.
“If you do these things. . . then when you call, the Lord will answer, ‘Yes, I am here.’ he will quickly reply.” {Isaiah 58:8-9}
Quickly reply? Refreshing. Like a conversation we’re used to.
What are ‘these’ things that have God rushing to our side, ready to answer our questions, guide our life, still our heart?
- Fast so that others may be free.
- Stop oppression.
- Treat others fairly.
- Share your food with those that are hungry.
- Welcome the poor into your home.
- Give clothes to those that need them.
- Do not hide from those that need your help. {Isaiah 58:6-7}
Then, He promises us that our Light will shine. {Doesn’t that sound wonderful?} Our light will be so bright, darkness will shrink back in horror and be overtaken by the life we’re living.
My pride bucks and I politely scream, “But what about me? The lists seems all about someone else. I want to know the good plans God has for me.”
And then God promises to ‘guide us continually, watering our lives when we are dry and keeping us healthy.” {Isaiah 58:10-11}
{I don’t know about you but I’m feeling dry. Dried up to help others. Tired and weary. It’s enough to handle what’s on my own plate. But He still promises to keep us healthy, both in body and perspective. To water our dry hearts so that we might flourish for Him when we’ve already given all we can.}
Through Holy Spirit power revelation and the beauty of sanctified growing pains, I hear God whispering to my always searching, whining, never content soul.
I’m looking for the still small voice, the laying out of next steps and great plans. But while I seek Him for my needs, I’ve missed the pie for the slice.
I’ve somehow forgotten why I lean in to hear His words; That His hot breath can warm my ears and make my eyes blurry with tingling love. I can be intertwined with His Spirit in mine. I can know, that I know that He loves me and I Him. I can ‘see’ Him all around in this bright light that He’s creating through me. I can experience Him through the eyes of another, the ones He asks me to serve. I can be with him, live with him, breathe Him in, remember the white-as-snow-pure love that He willingly clothed me in.
I remember His whispers are for Him and them, ‘to love God with all my heart and love others as I do myself.’ That is to follow. That is to listen. I must obey, then “my godliness will lead me forward and the glory of the Lord will protect me.” {Isaiah 58:8}
I, again, just want to be with Him.
I asked Him for guidance and direction. He whispers the secrets. As I lean in to hear His whisper from eternity, I bow to His throne and am closer to those who need His help and the plan He has for my life.
by Stephanie Bryant, co-founder of (in)courage and Creative Mastermind at S. Bryant Social Marketing.
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Good post. I especially like “while I seek Him for my needs, I can miss the pie for the slice.” How true can that be?
He continues to show us how we are filled when we serve–when we sacrifice ourselves for a moment and turn to another. This is love, when we *choose* to put another above ourselves, to decide he/she is more important than us at the moment. He’s continuing to teach me this. Every. Day.
Also, His whispers really are necessary. Kind of like as a parent, we get noticed more when we whisper and our children have to lean in to listen. It’s more intimate that way. And I think it’s not by chance–it’s His Holiness in us.
Great stuff to remember here, Stephanie.
Rich blessings as you continue to seek Him…
[…] that have God rushing to our side, ready to answer our questions, guide our life, still our heart? {Follow this link over to (in)courage to read the rest. . .} Tweet This […]
Oh yes, He still beckons quietly, just like He did with the little boy, Samuel. How hard it is for us to hear Him with all the clamor and craziness and demands that we’ve allowed to creep in …
He still wants to take me there …
http://creeksideministries.blogspot.com/2010/01/he-is-beckoning.html
God Please Help Me.
Beautifully said. I keep leaning my hear to hear and some days forget to be quiet to listen. I am trying to do that more!
It’s 11:30 pm in Papua New Guinea as I sit at my computer, door open listening to the waves splash on the shore. Sleep would not come, so I have been sitting in the stillness leaning in to hear Him for I so needed His whisper tonight. Long days full of so many changes with only more to come have left me weary….weary of serving others.. feelings bringing guilt…needed to hear Him remind me of the song, It Will Be Worth It All When We See Jesus.
A quick little stop at (in) courage…words to match my heart
Your list is not all about others, it’s all about Him….
Great and timely post…thank you
Oh yes, IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL WHEN WE SEE THE WHISPERER FACE TO FACE
Dear Stephanie,
Thank you. How did you know?
Ahhhhhh thanks for itching at my soul again. So good! With Joy, Carey
Thank you for the reminder that His whispers are “for Him and for them.” I think we so often forget that the whispers aren’t only about our blessings.
I know there will come a day when we will count ourselves blessed just to kneel at the Saviour’s feet and kiss the hem of his gown but for now i know He will never leave me no forsake me and oh how i need Him.
Seriously? Stephanie Bryant, I cant wait to meet you. Thank you for your words. Words that will take me awhile to unpack.
Stephanie,
Sometimes life gets soo busy and hectic that we humans forget to slow down and listen for the voice of God. I believe that is why God gave us Summer – to slow us down and bring us back to Him after busy crazy Fall and Winter seasons.
I try daily to listen for His voice in reading/listening to Bible, reading devotions and listening to Christian music. The more of God I put into my heart and head – the more He will sink in!!
You had me at the title – whispers. God’s whisper is the name of my blog, and I’m always trying to be more attentive to His voice. And you’re so right – it is so easy to get caught up in listening to God for ME that I forget the big picture of God’s call to focus on others. Thank you.
I love this. Isaiah 58 is one of my favourite chapters in the Bible.
[…] are they? Well, you can read this post over at (in)courage to find out, but I’ll give you a little clue. It has something to do with one of my favourite […]
Beautiful words here, Sister. I hear His whispers through yours…
thank you for reminding me that He desires for us to whisper His Name
JESUS
It is a good thing to wait for Him.
Thank you so much for this post.
The other night, I was praying (something I am not very good at). I had been feeling discontent and lost and confused, and all I had to offer God was my honesty. I kept telling Him over and over that I wanted an answer – something, anything – and that I could not wait any longer because I was miserable and lonely and needed to know He was listening.
And then this small, still voice in my head said, quite clearly, “Stop wanting, and start giving.”
Well, that certainly gave me pause. I have been turning that message over and over in my mind since then. Your post really drove it home for me. It is amazing the unusual and myriad ways that God works.
Thank You Amanda N……you have now given me a new life motto: Stop Wanting and Start Giving!!! however in my case I may change it to Stop Whining and Start Giving!!
ThAnK yOu, tHaNk YoU, THANK YOU!
and of course….God Bless YOU 😀 😀
Stephanie, I have been been secretly enjoying your blog for some time now. You should know that you bless me with our words and your wisdom on a regular basis. Thank you for sharing your heart with us!