What’s Wrong With My Ears?

People say it all the time… “God spoke to me and told me to go over there.” Or “God told me to tell you…” Such statements are often made in church or on Christian television. People everywhere are hearing from God. This makes me wonder sometimes, what is wrong with my ears???

 
Whether these individuals are telling the truth or not about hearing from God requires another article. However, the fact is God really does speak to His children. I have prayed and watched God answered my prayers. I have had opportunities in my life that I know could have only come from God. Yet, I cannot truly say I have heard a bold distinct voice from God. It could be that my expectations and perceptions are clouded by the “Over-exaggeration” of so many!

 
I’m confident the Holy Spirit lives in my heart and governs my steps. I do have a healthy relationship with my Heavenly Father. I visit His words as well as pray to Him every day. With praise on my lips, I worship Him daily, and attend church for strength and renewal.

 
My concern is, in those sackcloth-and-ashes moments when I am down on my knees in prayer and fasting because I need to make a life altering decision, I don’t literally hear His voice. When I begin to ask questions such as “Lord, what will you have me to do?” or “Where do you want me to go?” Silence is my reply—or so I believe.

 
Why am I not hearing?

 
Probably my mind is too noisy with the sound of my thoughts. Probably it’s because I’m limiting a limitless God to a mere yes or no answer. Probably the answer that I want is blocking the answer that He’s giving. Probably it’s because my small mind cannot comprehend the awesome plans He has for me. Probably I’m looking for a loud booming voice when sometimes He’s speaking in a still small voice or a spontaneous thought. Probably His voice sometimes comes across as inner peace and contentment instead of words. Probably it’s because I harbor doubt.

 
God’s voice isn’t always audible, and doesn’t always meet our expectations. It may come as a thought, a gut-feeling, or a vision. May we learn to take the limits off God as we silence our hearts and wait for His reply.

 
I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guard post. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer my complaint. (Habakkuk 2:1)