Taking it seriously
I sometimes wonder if one of the biggest mistakes we can make is not to take seriously the whispers we hear from God. The reasons for this can be varied, but I would like to mention just two.
If it really was God, he would speak more clearly!
So often, the whispers that come to us as we encounter him are just that – whispers! We would probably prefer him to shout his message to us or to write it in bright red letters on a wall. But of course, he doesn’t. This was exactly what Elijah found in 1 Kings 19, when God was not to be found in the earthquake, wind or fire – but in a gentle whisper.
Perhaps he speaks in whispers to encourage our faith. We wouldn’t need much faith if God yelled at us through a megaphone – it would be blindingly obvious that it was him shouting at us! When he whispers, we have to add faith to the process.
So often, the whispers that come to us as we encounter him are just that – whispers! We would probably prefer him to shout his message to us or to write it in bright red letters on a wall. But of course, he doesn’t. This was exactly what Elijah found in 1 Kings 19, when God was not to be found in the earthquake, wind or fire – but in a gentle whisper.
Perhaps he speaks in whispers to encourage our faith. We wouldn’t need much faith if God yelled at us through a megaphone – it would be blindingly obvious that it was him shouting at us! When he whispers, we have to add faith to the process.
If it really was God, he would say something different!
At times, many of us might expect God to speak harshly to us or wag his finger disapprovingly. This may be because if we were God, we know what we would say to us – and it probably would not be good news!
Of course, God wants to transform us so that we all reflect the love and the heart of Jesus, but he also loves us so much that he gave Jesus for us. Why then would he not speak words of love to us?
At times, many of us might expect God to speak harshly to us or wag his finger disapprovingly. This may be because if we were God, we know what we would say to us – and it probably would not be good news!
Of course, God wants to transform us so that we all reflect the love and the heart of Jesus, but he also loves us so much that he gave Jesus for us. Why then would he not speak words of love to us?
So how do we take him seriously?
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Encounterprayer - which involves a focus on the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - helps us with this. As we enjoy the presence of Jesus with us, we are encouraged to speak to him about whatever is on our heart and mind – and then to listen for his whispers to us.
What is it that he wants to convey to us at that moment? Why does he want us to grasp this? What difference will it make to us? I always find it helpful to write down what I sense God is communicating to me. The very act of doing this means that I need to concentrate on what comes to me long enough to write it down, and this all helps to deepen the impact of it. Writing it down also means that I can come back to it at another time, maybe later that day or the next day, and ponder further what it means to me. |
Allowing time for Jesus to communicate afresh with us every time we enjoy his company is what it means to take him seriously. |
There is such richness in the different elements that make up encounterprayer and to rush one of them will inevitably leave us impoverished. Allowing time for Jesus to communicate afresh with us every time we enjoy his company is what it means to take him seriously.
John Ryeland
John Ryeland
