06 October 2006
At my current place of employment, I have the opportunity to interact with a large number of people. Sometimes I answer their questions. Sometimes I listen to their issues. At other times I observe and read what's written on their t-shirts (while working, of course). After all, what a t-shirt says is a likely indication of what a person thinks and/or believes.
During the last week, one common theme has begun to emerge from the slogans emblazoned on customer's shirts. See if you can figure out what it is:
- The voices aren't real, but they have some good ideas.
- I've heard voices and they don't like you.
- Shhh—I'm hiding from the voices!
These slogans about voices bring up a number of obvious questions (at least to me): How many voices are there? Have they identified themselves by name? Can they hear us (or even hear our thoughts)? Why are these voices telling specific individuals about people they like or dislike? If the ideas they present are good ones, then why hide from them? Do I even know who these voices are? If they're not real, then what's going on?
For centuries, people have been attempting to discover more about these 'voices.' In most cases, these attempts lead to matters of a spiritual nature. This might be well and good, but where are the voices coming from? For an individual who has taken Jesus at his word and chosen to follow his leading, only one voice is supposed to be followed—the one that says, "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21 [NIV])
However, we have an amazing human tendency to create and use these voices as justification for acquiring our dreams and desires. When a person begins to hear a voice other than God's as God's, they effectively become a slave to the voice they've misunderstood as coming from God itself. In addition, these voices can be used to make others think that following Jesus is nothing more than an exercise in futility. Paul described this as "gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts." (Ephesians 2:3 [NIV])
So a good question to ask is, "What does God's voice sound like?" If we knew that, it would make life and the decisions we have to make a whole lot easier, right? Certainly!
However, God speaks throughout the Bible in a multitude of ways. He speaks in a commanding voice at times, as Moses discovered while standing at the burning bush (Exodus 3-4). At other times, his voice is one exuding love and compassion, as demonstrated to the Israelite people (see Isaiah 43:1-7). Sometimes the voice is a majestic one, full of splendor and power (see Psalm 29:4-5). Sometimes the voice is just a gentle whisper, as Elijah recognized when he was hiding in a cave (1 Kings 19).
With so many different tones and styles, the key is perhaps not to determine the sound of God's voice. Instead, we need to be able to both hear and apply what he says to us.
In order to do that, there has to be a willingness on our part to hear. The words might not be what we expect, but without a desire to really know what God's saying, they can be easily dismissed, lost in the constant shuffle of life.
We must also be willing to slow down to hear. I'm reminded of the story of two sisters, Martha and Mary, who had Jesus over as a special guest at their house one day. There were many things to do in order to get ready, and Martha was running around feverishly trying to make sure they were all accomplished. Her sister Mary, on the other hand, simply sat down and listened to Jesus talk. This didn't make Martha happy, so she did something I find intriguing (maybe this will be a future edition): she asked her guest to tell Mary to help out! Should he have done so? Maybe. But he said something completely different: "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42 [NIV])
In other words, come and listen to my voice.
Of course, all of this means nothing without a response on our part. Sometimes the words said aren't applicational in nature, but are meant for comfort, encouragement, or teaching. We should then respond in a spirit of thankfulness for what has been revealed to us.
My first experience of hearing the voice of God came near the end of a silent retreat many years ago. I was sitting on the North Carolina coast, watching the waves and enjoying the sunshine. All of a sudden, there was a quiet thought that came into my head. "Do you see those waves?" it said. Before I had a chance to respond, the thought continued, "As the waves break upon the shore, that's how I reveal myself to you." Not much application, but I remember a feeling of gratitude that has persisted to this day.
The voice of God is real, and he wants to speak to you. I pray that you would take time each day to see what he has to say. And as the voice refreshes you, may you, in turn, go and refresh others.
"The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
—1 Samuel 3:10 (NIV)
"In Christ we are taken to the Father. As we hear Him we come into our full identity; we know who we are and who we are created to be and become. We pass from immaturity to maturity."
—Leanne Payne, Listening Prayer1
1 Payne, Leanne. Listening Prayer. Baker Books, Grand Rapids MI: 1994. The quotation is taken from page 128.
