When God speaks, LISTEN.

*This is the first installment of a series I've started on here, "Learning Lessons."  To see the intro to the series, check out My first blog series.

God speaks through a myriad of ways, and I find that the longer I walk with Him the more I discover just how diverse His communication is.  Looking up at the sky and just observing the simple fact that the clouds didn't look like this yesterday... watching the interactions of complete strangers... hearing/singing a hymn, "Christian song," or even the music of a group that is completely unaware of the truth they are proclaiming... words from a friend... straight up Scripture... my pen being taken over when I am journaling... books... every form of prayer imaginable...

For me, when it is the "really big stuff" that He wants to talk to me about, I have to take time and get still in His presence and just silently listen for his voice.  Sometimes He just wants me to chill in His presence and simply enjoy being with Him.  And sometimes He shares His heart with me in a way that changes me forever.

As I was still before Him after I found out I was losing my job, He made it very clear to me that I was to continue everything I had been doing, and trust that He would provide everything I need, including the prompting in the hearts of others to let Him provide through them.  This stirred a number of very strong emotional responses within me- reassurance, fear, excitement, anxiety...  But for me the bottom line was that this message was unquestionably clear, and the only response available was to walk forth in faithful obedience.

There are times in life when God directs us with vivid clarity if we will shut up and listen.  We need to be listening with intentionality for His voice all the time, since as I mentioned above, His creativity in communication is limitless.  And, my experience is that when He chooses to speak directly and clearly, He is doing so because it is particularly vital that we hear Him in such a way that we have complete confidence in His promises and in His direction, because it is imperative that we obey.  In these times, I have never received from the Lord "suggestions" as to how I might respond.  He has authoritatively said, "This is what I want you to do.  And because I know and want what is best for you, this is what you need to do."

Generally, when He has spoke to me like this, I wanted "an easier, softer way."  But here's the indisputable fact of my experience:

His ways are not easy.  They include discipline, refinement, sanctification, and growth; they include a plethora of unknowns; they often include pain. 

And His ways are always SO, SO good.  He always promises to be with us, to care for us, to accomplish His purposes through our willingness to obey.  And the adventure of following Him is inconceivably wonderful.

So, no matter what He might say, when He speaks, LISTEN, with your whole heart.  I tend to go to Psalms 16 and 25 when God is speaking difficult words with frightening imperatives to remind myself that I have chosen and committed to following Him His ways are always incomparably better than anything I could ever dream up.  I'll leave you with a few verses...

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
    You hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me;
    because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
                                                                                                   Psalm 16:5-8