Hearing the Voice of God

Learning to recognize the voice of God is something we learn and grow into over a lifetime. But we are trying to be frank and realistic about our situation in the world, and so this needs to be said as clearly and honestly as can be:

Hearing the voice of God is essential to Christian discipleship.

It is not optional.

It is not for a select few.

For one thing, Scripture teaches it on nearly every page, whether by the example of saints past or by direct command to all who believe.

What would we think of a father or mother who never spoke to their children? Imagine that these parents provided for their children’s needs and spent time with them but never spoke a word to them. We would call it child abuse, neglect, or abandonment. It would be terribly traumatizing. Nor would we be satisfied with an occasional word; we would insist that the relationship involve regular, intimate communication. The same would be true for any marriage, any friendship. How could you call someone your friend if they met you for coffee and spent an hour with you but never spoke a word? Never asked you how you were doing? Never laughed together over shared stories?

Friends, we are created in the image of a highly relational Being, a God who is triune in relationship! 
That is why we are highly relational beings ourselves. It is absurd and blasphemous to accept a theology that makes hearing the voice of God exceptional or occasional.

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice. (John 10:3–5)

If this isn’t central to the scriptural witness, nothing is.

I’m saying this with great emphasis because I know too many dear, dear lovers of God who have, for one reason or another, written this off for themselves. Sometimes because they found it difficult to learn the practice and concluded it wasn’t for them. Or perhaps more frequently because they saw it abused by others and withdrew from it. Or because their spiritual leaders told them it isn’t available, which is of course poor theology and completely detached from reality.

Let no one steal this from you, friends. It is too essential in an hour like this one.

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