HEAR GOD’S UNSPOKEN SPEECH

As leaders, we listen to important words day in and day out. If we’re not careful, though, we can be deaf to the most significant words of all. Let’s learn to tune in.

Creation is constantly pouring forth knowledge about God (Ps. 19:1-2). There’s no lack of words on God’s part; just a lack of hearing on ours.

The other morning, I planned to go outside to be with God. No go. It was pouring rain. I stood in our sunroom looking through the drenched, dreary windows. What a bummer. 

I settled into my God chair and turned to Psalm 119—the chapter I’d been reading on vacation. Verses about God’s love drew my attention:

• “Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord” (Ps. 119:41).

• “The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love” (Ps. 119:64).

• “In your steadfast love, give me life” (Ps. 119:88).

God’s theme for the morning became obvious—His love for me. I got up to check on the rain. This time, I was drawn to a stained-glass piece of artwork, its beauty undiminished by the darkness.

“Like My love for you, Lisa. It’s never dampened by circumstances. It’s always vibrant. You just need eyes to see, ears to hear, a heart to receive.”

Even through artwork, God was revealing Himself. He spoke volumes that morning about the “shining sun” of His truth lighting my path, the “ocean” of His love buoying me up, and the “sailboat” of my life, crimson in color, like the blood of Jesus, my Savior and Lord.

Simple, sustaining truths. My sails were filled afresh with His Spirit; positioned to follow His lead for the day.

How to Hear God’s Unspoken Speech

• Desire to. If your heart isn’t inclined toward God, ask Him to help you want to hear from Him. He will.

• Listen. We’re good at tuning out background noise. But the knowledge of God—spoken forth by creation—can become prominent whenever we quiet ourselves to hear it.

• Look around. See your surroundings with God’s eyes. Is He drawing your attention to something specific that conveys a spiritual truth?

• Look in the Word. All of God’s communication is rooted in Scripture. As you interact with God, you’ll find confirmation and further inspiration in the Word.

• Receive. Whether it’s a single word, a verse, or a heart-filling expression of His love, take in what God has for you.

I had to laugh when I looked up the Hebrew word for “pour” in Psalm 19:2a—“Day after day they pour forth speech.” It means to belch forth, to eagerly utter, to bubble up. The last part of the verse says, “… night after night they reveal knowledge.” “Reveal” in Hebrew means to show or declare. There’s nothing passive about these words. I picture God bursting through nature to provide the most enlightening show-and-tell we could ever experience. As leaders surrounded by voices all day long, let’s tune into the glorious surround-sound of God’s creation revelation.

“As leaders surrounded by voices all day long, let’s tune into the glorious surround-sound of God’s creation revelation.”

- Lisa Hosler

How do you focus on God’s voice in the midst of many? Feel free to share your thoughts in the Comment Section below.