Within the Wesleyan tradition, we are blessed by a methodology handed down to us by John Wesley, but actually rooted in the entire course of Christian history and theology. While it is called the “Wesleyan Quadrilateral.” the steps are quite easy to grasp. They include Scripture, Tradition, Experience, and Reason. When faithfully applied, these steps build upon a strong foundation and yield something beautiful in the end. Like layers of a cake, each rests upon the strength of the former, producing a solid structure in all. The process begins with Scripture.

Our first question in the discernment process is, “What does the Bible say?” Unfortunately, many people wrongfully buy into the idea that we cannot know what Scripture says, or that what we find is relative, merely our own interpretation of what it means, therefore, it is impossible to discover God’s will in the pages of our holy book. Others argue the teachings found there are outdated; out of touch with our modern world. Beyond these concerns, some suggest that we simply pick and choose which scriptures we like, and twist them to suit our needs. Each of these, and other, concerns are rooted in observed misuses of Scripture, but because such abuses are engaged in by some, does not negate the value, nor the effectiveness, of the Bible to guide our lives. We need only abide by good practices as we engage the word of God to discover the heart of God, and the direction of God.

Healthy Practices for Biblical Discernment

Discover what the Bible actually says. It is easy to decide what we want the Scripture to say and then find verses to support our preconceived ideas. The real work of discernment, however, requires us to set those preconceptions aside and actually let the text speak for itself. Biblical discernment is not about forcing our ideas into the pages of the Bible, it is about allowing the biblical word to find its way into us. We are to come to the Scripture teachable; open to what the Holy Spirit will reveal to us  We must always be willing to admit we were wrong, or only partially correct, and let the Bible speak for itself.

Discover the full teaching of the Scripture. It is not enough to look at a verse here, or a verse there, nor can we separate the verses from their context. Simply looking up a word in the Bible may give us a good start, but that cannot be the end. There are other related words and themes to examine, and it is necessary to examine how the whole word speaks to the issue, specifically and generally.

A good example here is the recent emphasis on Jesus’ commands to love. Loving God, one another, and our neighbor are significant commands of our Savior and we must address them with the utmost sincerity. In many places, the modern Church fails to represent and extend the love of God. Embracing Jesus’ call to love in his name is of great importance, but what does loving like Jesus look like?

We might be tempted to believe that Jesus teaches us to love how we want to love, or how we want to be loved. We might interpret his words to look like a form of the sentimentality we see expressed in movies and represented in our culture, but to understand what love meant to Jesus, we must look at the whole of his life to see the way in which divine love is expressed through him. This will include the great sacrificial love expressed in his death and resurrection. It will also include his compassion for those who reached out to him, and his willingness to care for those often rejected by society. However, we will also need to include his willingness to turn over the tables of the money changers, his aggressive comments toward the Pharisees, and his call to a deeper life of holiness in the Sermon on the Mount. Defining love in Jesus’ terms involves examining the full teaching of his life and witness, and so it is with any aspect of our Christian journey.

Discover the difficult passages. It is easy to fixate on one part of Scripture, usually the part we like, and ignore challenging sections and passages. While the Bible is a collection of many writings, they are all equally important to our quest. We may be tempted to dismiss what we call the Old Testament because of its age, or because we believe it is no longer relevant in light of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ, yet this was the very Scripture Jesus used, quoted, and lived by. We may want to focus solely on the Gospels, but the other New Testament writings expand our understanding of Jesus’ teaching. We may even want to focus only on our favorite Gospel, but the four work to give us a more holistic view of Jesus, his ministry, and his teaching. We must not discount any portion of Scripture, but rather, let it all inform our understanding.

When we apply these principles, we will uncover a greater revelation of God’s direction, and we will lay a solid foundation for the rest of our discernment. Tomorrow, our attention will turn to the importance and power of Tradition to refine our biblical discoveries, and to give us clearer spiritual eyes to assess our experiences and discern God’s will. Until then, let the Word of God speak.

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Going deeper with God naturally involves soaking in the Scripture. In these precious texts, we find the revelation of God’s heart and design for our lives, and the world. As we listen deeply to the word of God resonating within our spirit, we deepen our relationship with the Author and we receive greater revelation for our lives.

In Colossians 3:16 we read, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” It is the very design of God that we allow the word of God to dwell within us. More than that, we are meant to experience the richness of the presence of the word within us. As we allow the word to take root within us, we can strengthen ourselves, and our community, and we will find the song of the Lord rising up within us.

One of the passages I return to again and again is Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” By constantly pondering and meditating on the good things of God, we see more of God in our lives, and the light of Christ shines brighter on our path. Soaking in the Scripture is the primary way we “think on these things.”

Many of us were trained to read for distance, and we try to read as much as we can, as quickly as we can. There is value in reading this way because we expose ourselves to more information and can capture overarching themes that we might miss otherwise. There is, however, also a need to read for depth, working to mine all that we can from what we are reading. This is a slower process that allows us to savor the meaning of words, and the application of that meaning to our lives.

Consider the passage of Colossians above. Just the first phrase is full of meaning and insight. Her rare just a few thoughts:

• “Let” – We have an active part in seeing the word of Christ dwell richly in us. God is clearly the source of the word, and it is by the Spirit that we receive the word, but there is part for each of us in the process. We must allow the word to take root. This is much more than merely making time to read it, though that is necessary. We must actively participate in receiving the word. 
• “Word of Christ” – As part of the Trinity, Jesus Christ is the author of more than just the words in red. The words of Scripture are his words that speak life into us. 
• “Dwell” – The goal of engaging Scripture is much more than reading, it is inviting the very word of God to live in us. Through our meditation on the word, we make room for it to make a home within us, shaping our thoughts and flavoring our lives. 
• “Richly” – When God is involved, there is always an abundance. Scripture does more than guide us, or give us information. It overflows into our lives, creating life within us, and through us. 

In just a few words, we can see that there is much to savor. As we soak in the Scripture, we are infused with its truth and our lives begin to reflect its content in how we think and act. There are no shortcuts, and this may seem disappointing yet, like any relationship, the deep value is revealed in extended time together. Yes, there is an investment of time and attention, but the reward is a deep, rich, centered life in God, and the gift of divine revelation for our lives and the world. That is surely worth the time.

May your time soaking in the Scripture, yield deep and lasting fruit in your lives.

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I keep a small flashlight by the bed so that I can find things and get around without disturbing my wife as she sleeps. I noticed that the batteries were growing weaker, and the light a little dimmer each night, but I kept forgetting to replace them until I try to use it after we were in bed. It is no surprise then, that the last time I went to use it, the light came on, but was too dim to provide any help.

In Psalm 119, a psalm devoted to the importance of the divine teaching of the word of God, the psalmist declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (V.105) A few verses later, we read, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” (V. 130)

The light we use to navigate our path will make all the difference in how well we find our way. The wrong light will have a significant impact on our journey. While there are many voices encouraging us to follow our own path, or to live by a substitute to the direction of God, there is no other source that can successfully lead us where we need to go.

Looking over the substitutes offered in place Of the word of God, I am reminded of a hiking excursion I took in college. Walking along the path, we passed a beautiful stream. The scenic beauty made the clear running water seem all the more inviting, and after all of the hiking, many of our group were ready to savor the refreshment it offered.

Our leader suggested we wait until we crested the next hill where would have better access. He was right, it was better, and clearer. In fact, it was in that clarity that we could now see all of the beaver dung at the bottom of the stream. The water no longer looked so appealing.

I learned a valuable lesson there: the source matters. The beauty of the stream, the depth of my thirst, even the popular opinion, were nothing compared to the source of the water.

The same is true as we navigate life. We need pure light to show us the way. It doesn’t matter how appealing or popular something is. What matters is, is it true? Just because something sounds reasonable, or loving, or nice, doesn’t mean it is truly any of those things. Just because it comes from a celebrity voice, or in beautiful words, doesn’t make it truth.

To truly see where we are going, and where we need to go, we need a standard that is beyond ourselves, something that reveals the way things really are, and who we really are, as well. Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) Real liberty, real light, and real life, come from walking in the divine direction of the word of God. There is no substitute, no matter how enticing it appears.

The word of God is a treasure. It is a pure stream from which we can drink deeply. It provides refreshing for our spirits, and clarity for our minds. Indeed, it is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. The more we allow the Holy Spirit to unfold it in our lives, the more we will be able to see by its light.

How do you allow the word of God to enlighten your journey?

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That is not to say there are not benefits that come from digesting large portions of Scripture. Earlier this year I took on a Bible reading challenge to complete the whole Bible in 90 days. It took me a little more than that, but in the process, I discovered a number of things that only seemed to surface when I could capture the sweeping action of the story. Reading for distance can lead to some wonderful discoveries. It can also prevent us from mining the richness of the story.

In Psalm 119, the writer says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (verse 11) Slowing down our experience with the word of God leads to the unveiling of hidden treasures that go deep in our spirits and from there, transform our lives from the inside out.

Throughout the past two millennia, Christian monastics and mystics embraced a practice known as lectio divinia. This process of “divine reading” encourages the reader to come prayerfully to the word and to read slowly. As the words are thoughtfully received, the reader remains attentive to what thoughts and ideas resonate within and captivate the attention of the spirit. When these treasures are uncovered, the process of meditating on them begins, allowing the opportunity to savor the deep things of God and life.

What are the thoughts and feelings of the people in the story? How would the early listeners receive the this teaching? What fills my spirit with holy expectation, and what troubles me as I engage what I am reading? These are the type of questions that draw us into the holy moment before us, inviting us to do more than read, but to interact with the message. We may be deeply challenged, or equally encouraged, but we will be moving our reflection from information to inspiration.

Encountering the word of God in this way has less to do with digesting ideas, than with savoring truth. In a culture that has become quite adept at eating food for sustenance while barely tasting what we consume, the patience to appreciate the subtle flavors of the Scripture may take some time to develop. Each step in that direction, however, will deepen our discovery and enhance our spiritual maturity.

If we truly desire to enrich our spiritual lives there will need to be time for careful, deep reflection on the things of the Spirit. In those moments of stillness and contemplation, we will be remade in our spirit and that will lead to the transformation of our lives. Then, when we return to the necessary speed of serving in the world, our eyes will be open to the wonder of God, our spirits attentive to the voice of God, and our lives empowered for the service of God.

Reading for depth is not merely about intellectual stimulation, but about deep spiritual insight that transforms us so we can transform the world.

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It is clear from the story that missing the point was actually his intention. You do not have to be a theologian, biblical scholar, or psychologist to see that Pilate wanted to dodge the question. Jesus presence and words were searching him and he knew it. Rather than join in that process and come to greater self-discovery, he chose to redirect the conversation and remain comfortable where he was. Sadly, this is a very common, human response. Rather than allowing God to challenge us at a deep level we continually divert the discussion to something else and conveniently avoid that revelation.

I once received a letter from a person who attended the church that I served asking me to change the way I was preaching. She said, “sometimes I leave worship and I don’t feel like a good Christian. I want to come to church, hear that I am doing well and that it is all going to be okay, and I want to leave feeling good.” I feel for her discomfort, but I also know that sometimes we are not okay. Sometimes, the Spirit wants us to be uncomfortable and to look deeply at our lives. It is through this discomfort that we grow stronger in our character and deeper in our insight.

I’ve heard similar concerns about the personal nature of the sermon, or the praise worship, or the prayers. The implication is always similar, “Can’t we just avoid anything that gets too close to home? Let’s just get this church thing over with before it costs me anything or asks me to change.” That, however, is not the way of Christian discipleship.

We dare not simply find people and experiences that tell us we do not need to change or grow. We should be looking for Spirit-led people and Spirit-filled experiences that lead us deeper into truth. Jesus said, “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. He also said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” In Jesus, we experience truth and that truth will change us. It may not be the truth we expected and it likely will not be what seems popular, but it will be real.

Recently, a number of my Facebook friends posted links to articles that support their particular theological, or political beliefs. Some of the sources were very questionable and the arguments shallow, but they were presented with great passion. They were also affirmed with similar passion by a whole group of like-minded friends. I had two thoughts in response: first, this is very dangerous, and second, God show me where I do the same thing.

We ought to be challenged deeply, but we need to be challenged by the truth. The source of what we take into our thoughts and actions needs to be grounded in God’s truth, not mere popularity. Real truth should lead us closer to God and to the revelation of God given in Holy Scripture and in Jesus Christ. If we are not careful, we can sound like Pilate as we attempt to redefine truth to fit our expectations and desires, to be popular, and to avoid the deep searching of God.

If, however, we will embrace real truth, we will discover the freedom it brings. Like the driver who finally accepts that they need directions to find their way, we may not like what we hear, but we will know exactly where we are, and the real pathway to where we are going. We will find that Jesus really is the truth and the way, and we will so much the better for it.

Truth can be frightening and uncomfortable, but it is also liberating and enables us to find our way to the destiny marked out for us. Pilate asked, “What is truth?” The answer is truth is God’s perspective. Truth is Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever, and that is a wonderful rock on which to stand.

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Recently, I was browsing religion and faith blogs to find some personal inspiration and to make connection with other bloggers with similar interests. I found a number of interesting sites and posts and even discovered a couple of blogs I enjoyed so much I added them to the Cafe’s Favorite Places. It was wonderful to find places of inspiration for the daily journey and places that challenge me to grow in my faith and understanding.

What shocked me during the search, were the number of places I encountered that were, well, the only word I know for it is, “angry.” These were places where it seemed every post was dedicated to something,or someone, the author was against. It seemed like I dropped in on people who were fighting, mad, and frustrated, and everyone of these sites claimed to be Christian.

Now, I do not want to sound harsh or judgmental. Maybe, these authors had a passionate reason for their emotion. Maybe, I just found a few negative sites, and of course, each person’s blog is their place to determine what seems best to post. The experience, however, started me thinking about the number of people I meet who claim to know Jesus Christ, who affirm the presence of Christ in their lives through the Holy Spirit, who also seem to be overflowing with harsh judgment and anger.

To be fair, if you were with me at times when someone dangerously cuts me off while driving, or in similar challenging circumstances, you might be tempted to ask the same questions about me Though, I am getting better. We all have places where our attitudes and actions don’t quite match up to our beliefs, but just because we share this struggle, does not make it acceptable, or something we should ignore. We are called to live a life worthy of the high calling of Jesus Christ, so we should always be seeking to grow more Christlike.

Once, while attending a youth retreat, the leader taught us a cute song based upon a verse of Scripture. I could sing it, but that just doesn’t come across well in the written text. Some of you may know the tune, but the words are what really matters, “Be ye kind, one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” This verse from Ephesians 4:32, is so simple in its meaning and direction, yet it seems so difficult to put into practice. I am called, you are called, to be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving, and this is not just a one-time event. We do not offer kindness one day and then check it off of our life list of to-dos. Rather, we are called to make these virtues a part of who we are and practice them daily.

The motivation and the power to live out this verse come from the knowledge and experience of God working in our lives. Since God shows kindness, tenderness and forgiveness toward us, we too, should share that experience with others. In doing so, we become tiny mirrors, reflecting what God does in our lives into the lives of others. When we recognize the grace we have, and continue to receive from God, it becomes easier to offer that same gift to others.

Instead of being known for anger, frustration and criticism, we could be remembered as the people who had compassion, grace and love. That certainly sounds like Jesus, and what would happen if people experienced Christians who took this simple verse from Ephesians to heart and became, as James said, “doers of the word?” It is a simple lesson and yes, it is hard to apply, but the impact we can make for God and for good in the world makes the effort worth it.

May the kindness, compassion and forgiveness of God be yours and may you share them broadly to the glory of God’s name.

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The psalmist wrote:

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me, even at night my heart instructs me. (Ps. 16:7)

When we orient our hearts toward the praise of God, and when we seek and receive the counsel of God, then even in the night our heart will lead us to a deeper understanding of God and his direction for our lives. Our active attention to the Lord makes the way for even the hours of rest to become moments of growth with God.

Recently, I was confined to the sofa for a while to keep my leg elevated due to a serious infection in the skin. My wife was busy caring for our son who was injured at work, so there was plenty of time by myself. I used that time to read some books on the Bible and foundational theology, to meditate on some Scripture and to enjoy some worship music I recently purchased. After just a few days, I found that I would awaken in the middle of the night with a praise song on my lips or a word of Scripture in my head. The time spent saturating myself in God during the day, led to praise even in the wee hours of the morning.

More importantly, God began to use the words I listened to and read, to speak to me about important issues in my life. Even as David once prayed, “search me and know me, O God,” the Word of the Lord began to search my heart. Many things I needed to see were revealed. Some were very comforting, while others were quite challenging, but all were meaningful and necessary.

When we make time through conscious effort to place our attention on God, and when we saturate ourselves in the truth of his Word, then our quiet moments can become times of great revelation, instruction and encouragement. The things we actively took in begin to bear fruit, unfolding the truth of God before us. Yes, we learn and grow during our active study and meditation, but when we fill our spirits with the things of God, even the passive moments can be full of revelation.

As you walk through this day, may your eyes and ears be open, and your spirit receptive to all that God is doing around you. May you actively seek God and soak in his truth. And tonight, while you rest, may the Holy Spirit speak to you through all that you have seen and heard that you may draw closer to God, know his great love for you, and discover more of the destiny he has in store for your future.

Be blessed in the day, and in the night.

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About a mile into our journey, we ran into the worst fog I’ve ever seen, and certainly the most challenging I’ve ever driven in. I could barely see anything beyond the hood of the car. I could not see the road, with all of its twists and turns, there was no way to turn around, and no way to identify any traffic around us. I did not know what to do.

We ended up driving another six miles in the fog to the next available exit from our now obscured scenic drive. My wife diligently watched out the window for any sign of traffic and I, with my door open, slowly navigated the trip by following the yellow dividing line that was just to my left. It was challenging and frightening, but we made it through.

I think of that story often, because there are times when life feels like that trip along Skyline Drive. Things are not always clear. Sometimes it is difficult to know where to go, when to turn, or what to watch out for. We know that the path before us has curves and potential obstacles, but we cannot see them. With no ability to turn around, we know we must find a way to move forward in spite of our limited view and our fears.

The Psalmist wrote, “Your word is like a lamp to my feet and light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) When life is challenging and frightening, when we do not know what to do next and the path seems impossible to find, it is then that the light of God shines the brightest on our way. Through the written word of God and the living Word of Jesus Christ, we can see enough to take the next step.

Like my driving experience, we may not be able to see more than the very next step and our guide may seem like nothing more than a small yellow line by our side. Yet, we know that God is with us and that his directions will bring us safely through if we will follow his path. With the light of Christ and the light of the Scripture, we place our faith in God and take the step that we can see, and with God’s help, we do it together.

Looking back, my trip through the fog that day was one of the most challenging parts of our honeymoon, but is also one of the favorite stories of my life. Remembering, and sharing, how my wife and I faced a difficult situation and made it through together still makes me smile and reminds me of the wonderful adventure we share together.

So it is with God. As we look back, we too can tell the stories of how we overcame challenges and confusion with God’s light on our path. Our faith is strengthened by the memory of God’s provision. Our testimony is stronger as we share the story with others, and in the end, we can celebrate the awesome adventure that comes from sharing life with God.

The path is not always clear, but the journey is worth it. As we share the adventure with God, we can put our trust in the Word to light our way.

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On Black Friday, we watched as people, rushing to get into a local Target to get discounts on televisions and other items, trampled a man and ultimately sent him to the hospital. A local news channel captured the horrific experience as the man, and others, cried out for people to stop only to watch them push by and even step on him. All this was for a good deal where the average person saved less than $100.

In the past few days, I’ve watched drivers ignore people waiting for a parking space, pulling in at the last moment just to block the waiting driver. I heard others cursing the person ahead of them because they did not go ahead and pull out into a river of traffic. I even caught two health care professionals in their scrubs mock and verbally abuse a woman who was obviously working with some challenges, because she was sweeping the floor and they could not get past her quickly enough. I know these are not isolated incidents, so I ask again, “What happened to civility?”

I watch as people and media, liberal and conservative, Christian and not, all malign and degrade everyone who does not share their particular worldview. Their words go far beyond unfriendly, they are simply malicious, intended to harm both feelings and character. They even identify these behaviors in those they oppose, but cannot see it in themselves.

Maybe the question is not just, “What happened to Civility,” but, “When did grievous sin become the acceptable norm?”

In one of the devotional books I am reading, one of the chapters focused on cultivating humility. The author suggested that for a week, we should focus on serving our family, instead of expecting them to serve us, by doing what they would like to do, without expecting them to do what we would like to do.
The assignment continued by encouraging the reader to let people have the best parking places, and allow them to cut in front of us, placing their desires ahead of our own. Not easy tasks, but important for those who want to embrace the life of faith the Bible describes.

The Apostle Paul offered the following command to the church in his letter to the Philippians, “Do nothing through selfish rivalry or pride, but humbly consider others to be more important than yourselves, and do not just look after your own interests, but look after the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4) There is nothing hidden or obscure in that passage. We are to consider others to be more important than we are and look after the interests of others, not just ourselves.

I could continue to lament the brokenness of the world, but real change begins with looking at my own brokenness. We could all continue to declare the evils of others, but judgement first begins with ourselves. If civility and righteousness are going to return to our land, then it will begin with people like you and like me choosing to live that way – every day. Then, we can challenge the broken systems of our world, not from a position of superiority, but of humility.

Maybe it is time for us to stop ignoring the needs of others, stop pushing and shoving our way through the world and its highways, even stop adding to the abusive political and social banter. Instead, we can choose to be representatives of grace, love and peace. We can exemplify patience and consideration. We can be the fruit of the Spirit for the world – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Yesterday was, “Pay It Forward Day.” Maybe every day we can make an investment in the future by celebrating the compassion, grace and forgiveness of God in our lives and reflecting the same into the world around us.

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So, how do you hear what God is saying to you? Here are seven ways you can begin to hear from God right now. (Actually, six ways and one to grow on, but you will see, they all work together.)

1. Read the Word – It may seem obvious, but many people neglect this powerful step. God clearly wants to communicate with us and has shared so much through the gift of the Scripture. Recently, a number of my Facebook friends have posted a “like” that reads, “It turns out life does come with an instruction manual – it’s called the Bible.” This may seem simplistic, but there is great truth in these words. God does want to talk to you through his Word, and this is a great place to start. Even if the passages you read do not directly connect to your circumstances, you are opening the doorway to spiritually connect with God and you will be blessed as you do.

2. Pray – Okay, another obvious choice, but also another commonly neglected one. If we truly desire to hear from God then we need to do our part to come into the conversation. Instead of merely listing the things we need or asking God to “bail us out,” making time to share our heart with God and to listen for a reply deepens our sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading. God is interested in you and your life, and wants to hear your thoughts along with your needs. Every good relationship needs communication. Take time to talk with God.

3. Worship – Choose some music that speaks to your spirit. Praise worship, hymns and choruses create an atmosphere where we hear with greater clarity. Sometimes we will receive something from the words of our song, but more importantly, we lift our thoughts toward God so that we can see and hear him with greater clarity. Visual symbols and places can also be great tools in our worship. Even the position of our body (seated, standing, kneeling, eyes closed or open, etc.) can help center our thoughts on God and his voice.

4. Meditate – Ponder a Bible verse. Think about an attribute of God. Remember a previous word or blessing. Pray a reflective prayer like the Jesus Prayer, “Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.” All of these are ways to quiet our mind and sensitize our spirit to the moving of God in our midst. Important things cannot always be rushed, and hearing from God may require an investment of time, even if we must keep our focus while doing other things.

5. Open Your Ears and Eyes – Frequently, God’s greatest communication goes on all around us, but our gaze is somewhere else and we miss the message we are being shown. The voice of a child, the sounds of nature, the pulse of the city can all lead us to what God is saying. Likewise, watching the sunset, smelling the flower, even truly tasting the coffee can allow God to speak to us through our senses. When we become attentive to what is around us, we also become attentive to God.

6. Share with Someone – God’s voice can also be heard in the voice of someone else. It may be a spouse, a child or a friend. It may be a pastor, teacher, or a stranger. When we engage others, we have the opportunity to meet God in the process. When St. Benedict created his Rule for monastic communities, he encouraged his disciples to welcome everyone as if they were Jesus Christ. Not only did this make them good and humble servants, it also allowed them to be attentive to what God was saying in their encounters.

7. Keep a Journal – Writing the words we think and hear can help give us clarity and these written words can become doorway to hearing in the future when we revisit what we’ve written. Looking back over how we heard in the past, and what God said, helps us to hear the fresh things God is saying. This has become a vital part of my spiritual journey. I now take time in all of my devotions to pray, “Lord, what would you say to me today?” I then wait in silence and write any impressions or thoughts that come in that time. When I connect these reflections with others throughout the day, I am amazed at the discoveries I find waiting for me.

I pray these seven steps will help you in hearing from God. May you be richly blessed as you seek the Lord.

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