The queue for coffee was hidden from view because of a really, really tall guy in front of me. His broad shoulders would have blocked the sun if it weren’t a cloudy day, and he towered over me by what felt like three feet.
The line behind me pushed in, and I found myself nose-to-shoulder-blade with his t-shirt. I thought to look away, but printed in a large, eye-catching font, his shirt read, “Dear Person behind me, NEED PRAYER? Tap my shoulder.”
Uhhh… yeah, actually, I did need prayer, but I wasn’t about to risk turning the heads of everyone around us. Just then, the brave little adventurer inside my head taunted, And you call yourself a Christian? Don’t be a chicken, just do it.
So, I reached up and tapped.
As he turned, I found myself looking up into the bushiest, nicely shaped, brown beard I’ve ever seen. This guy was legitimate wilderness man material. Although I felt small, his warm smile and brown eyes brought the word “safe” to mind.
“Hi,” I said, “I don’t really need prayer, but I’m writing an article on prayer and was interested in your shirt.”
Buk-buk-bugawk, went the chicken in my head. Pl-ease, just admit your need already.
I did need prayer that day. An estranged relationship weighed heavily, and I was there to meet friends for comfort over a cup of tea.
Ironically, the Big Guy and I connected immediately. It turned out we shared very similar family dynamics and estrangement stories. He understood exactly how to pray for my hurts.
And the irony didn’t stop there. After he bought my tea, we finally introduced ourselves.
His name was Levi.
Did your heart just blossom? Mine did.
God Speaks to Us—We Just Need to Know What to Listen For
In the Old Testament, the tribe of Levi was one of the 12 tribes of Israel assigned to priestly duties. In the New Testament, a man named Levi was called by Jesus as one of his 12 disciples.
I’m pretty sure someone reading this will think, Sure. This kind of meeting happens to you church-staff-ministry-writerly people. But, it would never happen to me.
Au contraire!
God is speaking to us all personally every day. We just need to know what we’re listening for. And, pro tip: The more we practice listening, the better we get at hearing.
I knew Levi wasn’t a simple coincidence that day because I had talked with God about my needs that morning, just as I do most mornings. But what if I hadn’t? What if I hadn’t stepped out of my comfort zone and tapped Levi’s shoulder?
Levi mentioned that he and his brothers wear these shirts as a ministry, and admitted it takes courage to put them on. He added, too, that it requires more courage for the person who taps their shoulder. (Yeah, Big Guy, for more reasons than one!)
Do you expect God to answer your prayers? Are you listening for his words or the ones you hope to hear?
How to Know God Is Speaking to You
God speaks to us in many ways, but these three in particular:
His Word
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” — John 10:27
Like any other person we’re in relationship with, it takes time to learn to recognize God’s voice and discern it from the many different voices we’re listening to. There are a lot of us lost sheep out there “Baa-baa-baaing,” but we’re unfamiliar with the voice of the Good Shepherd.
Are you in the habit of reading God’s word, just between you and Him? And then sitting in silence, allowing him to speak to you? Or is it more common to leave a voicemail without setting aside time to listen to the reply by opening your Bible?
I know, life is hectic. But aren’t we all too busy not to stop and listen for guidance from God Himself?
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
“But, when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.” — John 16:13a
Jesus left his followers with a precious gift, the Holy Spirit. And this gift comes with a promise to guide us into all truth. It is the Holy Spirit who lights up a verse, word, or phrase when we read the Bible. This is how I know what is meant for my ears that day, and I write what I hear on a 3×5 card and carry it with me that day or all week (John 14:25).
We are also counseled to “test the spirits” to see if what we’re hearing is from God. We are not to believe everything we hear or read online, but to examine the source and their theology (1 John 4:1).
Next time you’re unsure, sit with yourself in a quiet place, and ask:
- Does what I’m hearing align with God’s Word?
- Do these words align with the fruits of the Holy spirit? (Galatians 5:22-25)
- Does what I’m hearing from God feel right, even if it’s uncomfortable?
Other People and Circumstances
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28
How did Levi know to put his special shirt on that day? Did he know he would be God’s messenger? Could it be that he heard the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit, chose to trust it and obeyed, and then waited to see what God would do?
Yes! I believe the Spirit of God encouraged this young man to wear a t-shirt that conveyed to another believer in need that God saw her and would carry her through difficult times.
God is an incredibly creative communicator, my friend. He is speaking.
Consider, has the busyness of life drowned out His voice and stolen precious real estate in your mind?
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People often ask how I know it is really God’s voice I’m hearing. I know because it meets the criteria above; I feel it in my body and spirit, it aligns with scripture, and is confirmed by the wise counsel of friends in my inner circle. But, there are plenty of times I’ve prayed and journaled and am unclear, and I have to wait to see how life plays out.
Above all, I trust, by faith, in His promise to lead me into all truth. And sometimes that means taking a risk, like tapping a stranger on the shoulder.
If you’re unsure where to begin praying to hear God’s voice, download my free one-page guide HERE.
I’m already praying for you.
Kim
