awkward the first time I tried this, but I received a message. It was
short, biblical, and appropriate. It addressed topics that were current in
my life: trust, fear, and closeness to God. I responded by writing in my
prayer journal.
My journaling had changed from monologue to dialogue. Soon,
messages began to flow more freely, and I bought a special notebook
to record these words. This new way of communicating with God
became the high point of my day. I knew these writings were not
inspired as Scripture is, but they were helping me grow closer to God.
I have continued to receive personal messages from God as I
meditate on Him. The more difficult my life circum- stances, the more I
need these encouraging directives from my Creator. Sitting quietly in
God’s Presence is just as important as the writings I glean from these
meditative times. In fact, some days I simply sit with Him for a while
and write nothing. During these times of focusing on God, I may
experience “fullness of joy” in His Presence (Psalm 16:11 NKJV), or I
may simply enjoy His gentle company and receive His Peace. During
the years that I have been listening to God with pen in hand, I have
found themes of His Peace becoming more prominent in my writing.
I’m sure this tendency reflects, in part, my personal need. However,
when I get to know people, I find that most of them also desire the balm
of Jesus’ Peace.
A life-changing verse has been “Be still, and know that I am God”
(Psalm 46:10). Alternate readings for “Be still” are “Relax,” “Let go,”
and “Cease striving” (NASB). This is an enticing invitation from God to
lay down our cares and seek His Presence. I believe that God yearns
for these quiet moments with us even more than we do. I also believe
that He still speaks to those who listen to Him (John 10:27), and I
continually depend on the Holy Spirit’s help in this. As J. I. Packer
writes in his book Your Father Loves You, “God... guides our minds
as we think things out in His presence.”
This practice of listening to God has increased my intimacy with Him
more than any other spiritual discipline, so I want to share some of the
messages I have received. In many parts of the world, Christians seem
to be searching for a deeper experience of Jesus’ Presence and