The Holy Spirit is often talked discussed as a this mystical being that lives with us, guides us, and has a special voice that speaks to us. If you grew up in a contemporary church world, It seems like everybody is best friends with this voice and has daily conversations with it. Now I believe all of this, but I think hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit is a tad more difficult than just talking with any ole friend.
First, let me just state that the number one problem with hearing this Voice is us. I think the key that we always miss is the simple case of listening. For me personally, I pray, I journal, write, and then complain when I can’t “hear” God. Woe to me, the problem is I’m not listening! Luckily I’ve begun to recognize this and have taken baby steps to become more of a listener.
Unfortunately I still haven’t heard an audible voice. I’ve never heard faint whispers, or an old man’s voice giving me clues, wisdom, or direction of life. However, I fully believe that the Holy Spirit speaks to me, it’s unlike any other type of communication of this world.
I would suggest that the Holy Spirit speaks to each of us in our own personal way. The way he speaks to me is different than the way he speaks to my Dad, my pastor, or a random guy on the street.
- He’ll speak to me through circumstances. I’ve become very suspect-full of coincidences. Too often has God spoke to me through random chance meetings, the ones where someone “just happens” to speak into the subject in which my spirit has been thinking about. Too often has God come through and filled my needs when I least expected. Usually God’s plan is not my own, but in the end, his trumps mine.
- He’ll speak to me through my friends and family. They might not know what they’re saying is from God, but sometimes I’ll pick up on a consistent word that God is trying to tell me, and a friend’s word might confirm that message. My friends might not be the smartest, but they come from different backgrounds and experiences and have a wealth of knowledge that is priceless.
- He’ll speak to me through adversity. When brokenness occurs, we often look at our own feelings and just complain about how much things suck at the moment. We complain to God for putting us in this moment, for actually letting us feel a little pain. It’s so hard to recognize what God is trying to teach you in the moment, right when your at your emotional peak. It’s a lot clearer when you can look back into the past after a season of turmoil, and see what God was saying during that time. He was probably teaching you something and just like any other good father, he uses discipline as a tool.
- He’ll speak to me though mentors and leadership. When I’m faced with a difficult decision, I usually seek out advice. I’ve only been on this earth for 20 years, and have barely begun to mark down life altering experiences. I try to seek older and wiser counsel because of their relationship with God and their longer list of experiences.
- He’ll speak to me during my quiet times with him. There’s something about being still and quiet that unleashes your mind to focus on what the Spirit is saying. It’s hard to explain because it’s hard to get to that place for me. But, if i’m full heartedly seeking out what he has for me and am not distracted by absolutely anything else, I believe he places thoughts, ideas, and creations within you that can only come from Him.
So those are just a few ways in which I see the Holy Spirit speaking to me throughout my life. This is only what I can point out and recognize. Our God is a master conductor in which he orchestrates plans, meetings, and hints to what he wants for us. We don’t always understand what this looks like but we can trust that they are for own good, and for the glory of his kingdom.
