Growing up in church there were always “those people” who would talk about what God was telling them. They would act high and mighty as if God was speaking right to them. Every time I heard them speak I would roll my eyes and think how absurd that sounded. Like come on, how weird does that sound? God doesn’t just casually speak to us, right?
Wrong.
At training camp, we had an activity where we sat in silence with God while drawing. Though I am a horrible artist, I managed to sketch out a set of hands reaching out. I had no idea why I drew the hands, it just happened. A few days later my squad mate Cole told me that He saw an image in his head and thought it was for him, but later God told him it was for me. Cole then showed me his notebook and it was a scary similar sketch of hands. Freaky. For the remainder of training camp I prayed asking what those hands meant. During a storm one night, a few of us went onto the deck to worship and spend time in prayer. That time of prayer was so amazing. I felt God showing me that those hands are mine, He was taking their load so that I can use them for His work. He was freeing up my hands so that He can use them.
Just in case it wasn’t clear enough that I heard God’s voice, He brought it home. After training camp, Cole posted on Instagram. This post eloquently described the wave of forgiveness he felt on the night of July 7. He went into how this was the first time he truly felt the presence of God and heard His voice. When I saw this post, I remembered my experience on that same night of July 7. During worship that night, I sat down and started writing in my journal. Instead of the usual word vomit I like to jot down, I simply wrote the word forgiven along with the date and time. Like what??
Thinking about different aspects of my life I realize I am totally “that person”. The things that have happened in my life don’t make any sense until I take a step back and realize it was 110% God. I was hearing His voice all along I just didn’t know to recognize it. I heard Him when I decided not to go back to NAU, I heard Him when I didn’t think I could fundraise, I hear Him all the time. However, instead of acting high and mighty, I know it is completely normal. You don’t have to be someone special to hear His voice, you simply need to sit still and listen.
In church the message of relationship not religion is preached repeatedly, but it’s meaning never took ahold of my heart like it has now. A relationship is two sided. I cannot imagine a relationship in which only one person talks. That is the same with God, He wants to speak to us just as we speak to Him. He is our friend and confidant. It’s so comforting to know that He is there and I never have to do this life alone. Hearing the voice of the Lord isn’t something that should be looked at as weird or taboo. So, let’s release the awkwardness when talking about the voice of God. I urge you to sit in silence before God, ask questions, and get comfortable being uncomfortable.
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my father I have made known to you.” John 15:15
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak in his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you…” John 16:12-15
Fundraising update: I am currently at $9,760 of $14,951. I still have a ways to go, but I fully trust in God’s timing and His plan! If you feel it in your heart to partner and join me on this journey you may do so through this link
Here is Cole’s post and a photo of my journal:
“That is exactly what happened on 7/7/17. I found God in the midst of my baggage and failures. He wiped me clean of Sin. On the night of 7/7/17 at Worldrace Training camp, after session all 260 of us racers opened up in prayer. (Speaking out whatever was on our hearts) As the quiet atmosphere came upon the training center. For the first time in my life I felt the Father’s presence.
As the Holy Spirit fulfilled my soul and covered my whole body in goosebumps and heat.
I was given a WORD. My Father pushed aside my baggage and claimed me as his SON. 7/7/17 My mouth enlarged (like taking a breath and holding it in your mouth… My lips began buzzing and shaking, it was the Holy Spirit stirring up the words in my Mouth. “You Are Forgiven”
I waited for 10 seconds after the Father gave me this word. My mouth started shaking and buzzing even more. When I got to 10 seconds I felt heat in my mouth. So, in dead silence I said it “You Are Forgiven”
I broke down. Sobbing before the Father and his Glory.
7/7/17 I am no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God.
I found the Father and he took me in. I will forever be fulfilled.”
http://colewierman.theworldrace.org/
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