How Do We Hear God Speaking?

O M N I P R E S E N T

/ˌämnəˈpreznt/

widely or constantly encountered; common or widespread; everywhere

I get asked this question quite often when people ask me about my writing style and how I come up with certain topics. I give the same answer every time: experience, studying the bible, and a relationship with Papa God. All of those things are important when it comes to a faith-based blog, but the most important one is the last one: a relationship with Papa God. When you're in a relationship with Him it makes hearing what He has to say clear to hear. That line "hearing what He has to say" brings up plenty of questions, and the main question would have to be, "How do I hear the Father's voice?"

Well to be honest, when people talk about hearing Papa’s voice they think of putting a “sound” on Papa like this is what His voice sounds like. They speak as if God has one way of communicating, and that is His audible voice. I will admit that God has never spoken to me the way most religious people say that He speaks. They say that Papa speaks to them directly in His audible voice just like an everyday conversation. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that God does not speak to them that way. I'm saying He doesn't speak to me that way which brings me to my next point.

As kingdom citizens, we cannot box God in by saying, "God speaks one way, works one way, and moves one way for certain people," because that is not so. It's the same healing, loving Father, but it's a different method. If you study your bible, you will see that Jesus never healed the same way twice. The method changes, not God.

What people don’t understand is He speaks in different ways and different voices. To hear Papa’s voice in different ways is to know Him. He makes Himself known through gut feelings when you’re walking into something that’s not good. He’s a reminder in a time of worry whether it’s someone or something. He’s in everyday convos that remind you of His goodness, and even the “Hey, how are you?” Papa can speak through movies, people, songs, signs, etc.

If I was in a room with 500 people, and the lights were to suddenly stop working. Just pretend my dad walks in and I have no idea. It's dark and I can't physically see that he's there, but if he were to call my name in the midst of that dark room, I would know who it was right away. Even though I can't see him, I know he's there. It's because I know the sound of my earthly dad's voice. I know my daddy's voice because I have a relationship with him, I spend time with him. To know the sound of someone’s voice you have to know them and spend time with them. To hear the sound of Papa God's voice, and to know that it's Him, you have to have a relationship with Him.

I’m not telling you to pray five hours a day, be a preacher, read the Bible in 3 weeks, go to church 4 times a week, etc. In no way, shape, or form am I saying you have to do those things to hear God's voice. I’m telling you to become aware that Papa is everywhere, in everything, and everyone because He dwells in His people. When you become aware of that you begin to build a beautiful relationship, and you’ll begin to spot Papa God in everything, everywhere, in everyone.

-Taleigh E. Reed