Trust the Whisper: Finding Courage for Your CallingНамуна

Our world has become so busy and so loud that it is no wonder it is difficult to hear God—especially when he is whispering.

I think we miss hearing God for a lot of reasons. Modern life is full of tasks that must be done, and we can be too tired at the end of the day that we’re too exhausted to worry about listening for God’s voice. Somewhere between our jobs and the laundry, God is trying to get our attention—but the spin cycle is pretty loud. There are also plenty of distractions that make it easy to save finding our purpose for another day. Should I search for meaning or just binge watch another episode on Netflix?

But at some point in our lives, that restlessness for purpose starts to overtake the remote control and we yearn for more. That is when your whispers might begin rising to the surface where you can hear them, but we still have to get quiet enough to pay attention.

For me, that has meant finding a few moments each morning to start the day in peace with God. It has taken some time to fully begin this practice, but I wake up early (while it is still dark) so that I can start the day in silence. Before the dog can bark or the morning news can begin, I try to spend some time in the morning dawn. In that thin place between the night and the day, I have found it is a good time to listen for God.

I have learned to make my morning tea in the dark without turning on the full kitchen lights—it’s amazing how you can navigate just by cracking a bit of light from the refrigerator! Then, I curl up in a chair with my journal and a pen to take some good notes in case the Holy Spirit is whispering that morning. Morning may not be a good time for you—I know life is hectic and I remember raising four kids! Evenings might be when you can spend a little time—even 10 minutes a day—listening for God. You can try different times of the day and see what might work for you. But whatever time you choose to dedicate, the best way to pay attention to your whispers is by making listening for God a daily exercise.

Whispers are like a muscle that needs strengthening. You may just find it begins with a thought that is on your heart.

Maybe I should check on my neighbor.

Write a note to that friend who helped you.

Visit your family member with cancer.

Maybe it turns out that your neighbor has fallen and needs your help. Or that writing a note was just the encouragement your friend needed that day. Or that visit became the beginning of a conversation that deepened your relationship.

As we begin to see how those whispers have ripple effects, it will be easier to listen. I don’t believe whispers begin with “quit your job to house the homeless,” even though that did eventually happen to me. Looking back I can see that I had been following smaller God nudges along the way that gave me more of a certainty when I felt a true Holy Spirit call.

Whispers lead us to ourselves, to each other, to God, and to our own truest story.

But in order to hear them, we have to create space quiet enough to listen.

Time for Reflection

(If you don’t have time to reflect on all three, choose one that you want to explore)

1. How can you create time in your day to be still and listen for your whispers?
2. Have you felt a God nudge before? Did you pay attention and what happened when you did?
3. What are some of the distractions in your life that prevent you from making space for quiet? How can you begin to make changes?

Prayer for the Day

(This is an offering for you, or choose own prayer for the day)

God, help me create quiet so I can hear you. The world around me is busy and full of distractions, so it can be hard to pay attention. Let me listen for the still small voice that leads me to back to my own purpose and your will. Amen.