Photo by anankkml @freedigitalphotos.net

Hearing God speak is such weird thing. When I hear others talking about hearing from God, my first thought is “What did He sound like?” I always think of God talking in an audible voice. And while I have had God speak to me in a dream, I have never heard an actual voice when I am wide awake. It’s more of an impression. A feeling. An overwhelming sensation gripping my heart, making my body come alive with awareness…an awareness of God’s unmistakable presence.

God spoke to me last weekend and I was overcome.

I’d been wrestling with my writing, not being able to focus, not being able to hear my characters talk or see their futures in my head. I’ve also felt a guilt about not being more involved in my church. Sure, I go to our church worship gathering every Sunday. I sing on the Praise Team. I teach children’s Bible Class every now and then. But what am I doing to help my husband in his work? What am I doing to further God’s mission in this world through our church? I haven’t been using my gift of hospitality. I haven’t been serving others…just myself and my writing.

All of these things were on my heart last weekend, and Sunday morning I prayed that God would speak to me so that I would know His will for me. I told Him I was expecting Him to speak in a way that brooked no  argument. And He did.

The whole church service spoke, from the songs to the sermon, God whispered to my heart. What was so cool is my husband, who I had not shared any of this with, got up and spoke words throughout his sermon that blew God’s breath over me. He said (paraphrased), “In the story of the prodigal son, it’s not just the wayward sinners who end up in the pig pen. It’s us. We get in a place where we put our wants and desires before God. We lose our focus. He wants more for us. He has more for us. But what does God want from you? Has He been speaking to you?“

Well, yes, He has! God spoke to my soul, and He has told me to give up my writing for publication to focus on Him and His mission. I don’t believe He wants me to give it up forever, but I know He has asked me to set it aside for a time to revel in His presence and rediscover my love and passion for Him.

So while I am not writing for publication at this point in my journey, I will continue to post in my blog what God is teaching me, what great books I am reading, and what fun things I am up to.

And oh, how I love to have fun!

So has God been whispering to you?