Today, let’s consider the impossible – and utterly delightful – challenge of mastering the language in which God speaks. It’s a challenge crucial to living by the Spirit. (And also crucial to writing from the Spirit.)
Here’s a look at the subject, excerpted from The Elijah Blessing: An Undivided Heart.
As you stay before God, he will reveal himself to you – by his very Presence, by the things he shows you, by the things he says. He’ll draw you to his written Word, the place he has promised to meet you, the place he has promised to speak. As you abide in him and his words abide in you, you’ll learn to recognize his ways. You’ll learn to recognize his voice.
You’ll hear him first in your spirit. “Spirit can be known only by spirit – God’s Spirit and our spirits in open communion” (1 Cor. 2:14 MSG). Pay attention when that happens – when he nudges you, or pokes you, or rattles you, or raises a question, or even speaks clear words deep in your gut.
Sometimes you’ll understand what God said in the moment you know he spoke. Often, though, understanding comes only with pressing in. As you hear his voice, turn toward it. Ask, “I know that’s you, Lord. What are you saying?” Then wait and pursue. He may speak directly, or send you to search the scriptures, or tell you to let it germinate, or point out another place to look. As you search as for hidden treasure, the moment will come when you find it. The translation of the thing that hit your spirit will open slowly, like a flower, or burst full-blown into your mind.
It’s like learning a new language. There you are, standing before a native speaker. He speaks. You hear the words. You see in his eyes that he’s waiting for a response. But you don’t know what he said. Maybe you caught a word or two, but not the whole thing. If you want to save your pride, you pretend to have heard and mumble a response. But if you truly want to communicate, you humble yourself and ask, “Répétez, s’il vous plaît.” The other person repeats, more slowly and distinctly this time. You listen closely. Ah, yes. Now that jumble of sounds makes sense.
Hearing God is learning a new language, the Spirit’s language. You may have thought that God speaks in English. He does not. He speaks his own language. He teaches you in your spirit to hear his language and to translate into yours. You may not understand a lot at first. But as you press in to seek him, to listen spirit-to-Spirit and to keep your eyes on his face, you’ll grasp more and more of what he says.
As he teaches you to hear, he’ll surprise you with the places and ways he speaks. You’ll never know when his voice may break in on you or what he may say. But when your heart is wholly his, you’ll delight in the creative ways he shows you himself. You’ll lean in to him till understanding comes. And once you know what he’s said, you’ll set out to do it. You’ll act on your spirit’s yes.
Be blessed to commune Spirit-to spirit with your Lord. Be blessed to hear when he speaks into your spirit. Be blessed to seek until you know what he’s said.
And you who desire to write from the Spirit, be blessed to master two languages – the language in which you’re writing and the language in which God speaks.
Image © Oscar Mota
Deborah, I am so glad I read this post. I am taking some time to truly understand just what the Lord is saying, as I am seeking discernment and inspiration. As I set out to write for His glory, revealing through faith His ever present hand in our lives, I am so desiring to hear Him clearly. I am going to check out your book,The Elijah Blessing, as well. Thank you for your spirit filled wisdom in this blog post!
You’re welcome, Anne. I love writing about living (and writing) Spirit-to-spirit. Please feel free to browse some of my other posts that explore this subject. And may the Holy Spirit himself show you deep within what no words can convey.