In Women’s Life, we are currently reading through Genesis. I am seeing story after story where God is there, walking with Adam and Eve, or communing with Abraham and having a real conversation.
It sounds as though they heard audibly from the Lord. We know that Adam and Eve actually walked with the Lord. Just this week, I read about Hagar in the wilderness being visited by the Angel of the Lord (who most scholars believe to be an appearance of Jesus Himself).
In the midst of all of this…and hearing Sunday’s message…I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to audibly hear God’s voice. Or to see Him, in the flesh. What would it feel like to hug Him? There is no doubt that something like that would be too marvelous for me, but it doesn’t stop me from wondering what it would be like.
Something I have been thinking about that is unique to the time that we live in is the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Like we learned from 1 Peter 4:14, the Holy Spirit actually lives within us…the glory of God rests on us and is at home in our mere bodies.
So we may not necessarily hear an audible voice, but we have that impression on our hearts of the Holy Spirit — and if you’ve ever experienced His sweet call over your life, there is no mistaking that voice.
I think it’s easy to hear a message like we did on Sunday but still walk away doubting that the God of the Universe would actually speak directly to us…to me.
We place Him in a box in our minds that only the truly “spiritual” people among us can hear from God or speak His words to encourage others. But there are so many instances where God spoke directly to the lowly, to the humble, and to the outcasts of society.
I am thinking about Hagar running away in the wilderness, or Gideon hiding in the wine press, or even when He visited Mary and let her know she would be the mother of the living God. Each one of these characters were not considered great or mighty in the world’s eyes…but God chose to speak to them anyway.
How might He be speaking to you, dear friend? What has He revealed to you? Maybe it is something you might feel nervous to share or to speak out loud? What is a way that He has encouraged you, that you know others also need to hear?
As we walk into the book of Joel, I am praying that we not only listen to God’s voice, but we also walk with boldness as we carry that message forward. It takes humility to listen, and then it takes courage to relay the message. Can we walk in both?
Can we trust that God’s message has a purpose and plan for the people we are meant to share it with? And above all, I pray that we speak in love…sharing God’s heart of undeniable tenderness and grace.
It sounds as though they heard audibly from the Lord. We know that Adam and Eve actually walked with the Lord. Just this week, I read about Hagar in the wilderness being visited by the Angel of the Lord (who most scholars believe to be an appearance of Jesus Himself).
In the midst of all of this…and hearing Sunday’s message…I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to audibly hear God’s voice. Or to see Him, in the flesh. What would it feel like to hug Him? There is no doubt that something like that would be too marvelous for me, but it doesn’t stop me from wondering what it would be like.
Something I have been thinking about that is unique to the time that we live in is the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Like we learned from 1 Peter 4:14, the Holy Spirit actually lives within us…the glory of God rests on us and is at home in our mere bodies.
So we may not necessarily hear an audible voice, but we have that impression on our hearts of the Holy Spirit — and if you’ve ever experienced His sweet call over your life, there is no mistaking that voice.
I think it’s easy to hear a message like we did on Sunday but still walk away doubting that the God of the Universe would actually speak directly to us…to me.
We place Him in a box in our minds that only the truly “spiritual” people among us can hear from God or speak His words to encourage others. But there are so many instances where God spoke directly to the lowly, to the humble, and to the outcasts of society.
I am thinking about Hagar running away in the wilderness, or Gideon hiding in the wine press, or even when He visited Mary and let her know she would be the mother of the living God. Each one of these characters were not considered great or mighty in the world’s eyes…but God chose to speak to them anyway.
How might He be speaking to you, dear friend? What has He revealed to you? Maybe it is something you might feel nervous to share or to speak out loud? What is a way that He has encouraged you, that you know others also need to hear?
As we walk into the book of Joel, I am praying that we not only listen to God’s voice, but we also walk with boldness as we carry that message forward. It takes humility to listen, and then it takes courage to relay the message. Can we walk in both?
Can we trust that God’s message has a purpose and plan for the people we are meant to share it with? And above all, I pray that we speak in love…sharing God’s heart of undeniable tenderness and grace.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.