God Speaks

I think the first thing I should mention is that God speaks to me. (Might as well just get that right out into the open.) To some, that will be taken as a given. To others, it will seem to be blasphemy. To the rest, it may need more explanation.

When I was saved, at the age of 4, I was never told that God didn't speak to people like people spoke to people. I had heard all sorts of Old Testament stories where God said such-and-such to so-and-so. It hadn't happened to me, but then I also didn't think it wouldn't.

So, one day, when I couldn't find my favorite doll, Elizabeth, I went to my mother for help. I suppose she was too busy to go looking all over the house, and through my messy room for a doll, so she simply said, "Ask God, He knows where she is."

Being an innocent and straightforward child, I immediately looked at the ceiling (something I never do now) and asked, "God? Where is Elizabeth?". The answer came as I believed it would. "She's on the floor of your closet, where you left her."

Now, I've told this story to others, and it usually gets the same reaction - Eye-rolling disbelief. It seems that God is supposed to be too big, important, and busy to bother helping a little girl find her missing doll. But at that age, I hadn't heard that, so, I simply believed. From then on, I spoke freely with Him, usually about silly little girl things. I also recall that I sang to Him alot; not hymns or church songs, but impromptu praises done very badly albeit sincerely.

Over the years I spoke to Him less, and allowed Him to speak more to me. I've asked Him numerous questions, many of them irritatingly stupid, and He has answered them all with patience and kindness. I've given Him my own opinion of matters, and He has listened patiently without scorn. I've asked Him for advice, guidance, motivation, strength, and even "kicks in the pants". He has never let me down, though He is never as harsh as I imagine I deserve Him to be.

He really is the perfect father. What father wouldn't talk to his child? It seems to be a rhetorical question, but then, so many people believe that the Lord doesn't speak to us today. I hate to think what they're missing.

You see, God wants a relationship with us. He doesn't want to be the omnipotent monster on the mountain who hits us with lightening whenever we get on His nerves. He wants to be our Father. He wants to be "Daddy". Whatever it is one expects of a loving father, we should expect of God. Since He calls Himself, "our Father", it shouldn't seem to be a stretch, but there are those who make it seem so.

Often times, the mention of God speaking to someone is accompanied by a chuckle and suspicions of lunacy. This happens even in churches. Even pastors act this way. What causes a leader of a church to assume that God would not or could not speak to His people? I have no idea. Perhaps it is a leaning unto their own understanding, or perhaps they are following other men, instead of God Himself. Regardless of the reason, they are leading their flocks astray. God is trying to speak to them, and all of their congregations. They just aren't listening.

I have heard Catholics talk about God speaking to them. But beyond that, it appears that only certain individuals here and there are listening for God's voice.

Perhaps it would help those who are trying to listen, but not hearing, to know what they should be listening for. I'll go over that in the next post.