Showing Process

Joan of Arc “experienced her first vision around 1424 at the age of 12, in her ‘father’s garden.’ (She) saw visions of figures she identified as Saint Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret, who told her to drive out the English and bring the Dauphin (the rightful king) to Reims for his coronation. She cried when they left, as they were so beautiful.”[i]

Brother Lawrence, a Carmelite monk in the 1600s, enjoyed the presence of God while doing ordinary tasks in the monastery kitchen. He said, “I have abandoned all particular forms of devotion, all prayer techniques. My only prayer practice is attention. I carry on a habitual, secret, silent conversation with God that fills me with joy overwhelming.”[ii]

Christian author John Piper tells about a certain morning—March 19, 2007—in a remote area of Northern Minnesota, when God spoke to him in phrases that entered his mind one at a time. He noted: “There is no doubt that it was God. I heard the words in my head just as clearly as when a memory of a conversation passes across your consciousness. The words were in English, but they had about them an absolutely self-authenticating ring of truth. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that God still speaks today.”[iii] Read the whole story.

When I think of notable spiritual people, I want to ask—how did you come to know God’s presence and hear His voice…what was your process? Did you grow in awareness gradually? Did you pray for hours first? Or what about fasting? Were you young or old? Had you just discovered your faith or were you a long way into the journey?

As you can see from the few examples above, there isn’t any formula. Still, we can learn from others if they are willing to show their process.

Twenty years ago, a pastor suggested that God might be saying something biblical to me, when I repeatedly saw the same sequence of numbers. “Search it out and see,” he suggested. “You’ll know if it’s pertinent or random.”

At the time, it was a fantastic thought! Of course the Bible contains history, parables, and principles which are relevant and “speak” to us today. But to say that The God of The Universe would use ancient verses to speak to me—right then and there—felt wildly exciting! Wasn’t He talking to Israel or some prophet of old? Can God use the same holy text to communicate directly with you and me?

Yes and yes!

God speaks in the foundational language of Scripture, but builds on that bedrock. He takes the truth in the Word and reiterates it to our circumstances in ways that are fresh, poignant, timely and meaningful.

James Ryle, pastor and co-founder of Promise Keepers, a men’s movement in the 1990s, tells how God spoke to him as a young incarcerated man. God used certain Scriptures to give him hope and show him his future. Listen to his story. (6 minutes)

Here’s an example from my life. Years ago, someone I care about was making poor choices. My thoughts wrestled. Should I say something? On one hand, if I said nothing, would terrible consequences result? On the other hand, who did I think I was? Would I seem judgmental? I did not want the job of bringing truth.

Still, when God puts someone in that role the results can bring a watershed moment. Think of the German Friar Martin Luther up against the church with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517.[iv] Or how about Martin Luther King Jr., confronting racism in the 1960s? In the Bible, God used Nathan the prophet to confront King David, and raised up Esther to challenge Haman’s plot against the Jewish race.

In my situation, I didn’t know what to do. Then one morning, I happened to be reading Ezekiel 33. Verse 7 jumped off the page. I gasped:

7 “Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me.”

I couldn’t believe my eyes! I knew God was speaking to me. I went out on a limb and said something to my friend.

Six months later, I ended up in another situation! Good grief! Why me, God? Several people I loved were poised to make some very grave mistakes. Another man who knew about it contacted me to pray. He emailed me to see if we could meet at 7:33 p.m.! Later, he said “7:33” was a typo. He meant to type 7:30, but the Lord told him to leave it. I mentioned Ezekiel 33:7 and how God used that verse for confidence in another instance. We both felt the green light from God.

Just because God confirmed two situations with Ezekiel 33:7, it didn’t give me carte blanche. We must listen for God’s fresh voice in each circumstance.

Tell me an example in your process of learning to hear God…

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[i] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc

[ii] The Practice of The Presence Of God, Brother Lawrence

[iii] http://www.desiringgod.org

[iv] http://en.widipedia.or/wiki/Martin_Luther