Ask, “Jesus, how do You feel when you look at me?” (Really stop, ask, listen and receive).
Maybe you heard something or saw a picture or perhaps had an emotion wash over you, feeling His heart for you. Trust that was your Creator speaking to you.
Could you imagine what it would be like to meet Jesus in person? That would be a life-changing encounter for most. But listen to what Jesus Himself says in John 16:4-7: “It’s better for you that I leave. If I don’t leave, the Friend won’t come. But if I go, I’ll send him to you.” Jesus says Someone is coming that is BETTER than our 1:1 date with Him. The Friend, the Holy Spirit of God. Let Matthew 13:16-17 encourage you.
Where does God say the Holy Spirit dwells? Outside of us like the Old Testament? No. Occasionally rests on us and leaves? No. He says the Helper, the Holy Spirit of God, dwells within ME. So where would we hear Him speaking? Many people have rejected the voice of God because it came in too natural of a way. They only seem to recognize God if He is speaking through burning bushes.
Ask, “Jesus, will You show me a picture of where You are right now?”
It is important to note that hearing, sensing, and seeing are the same thing. Some people hear words inside of them, others have a strong sense about something, and others see words/pictures in their minds, which are all ‘hearing God’.
When you are ready, ask the question slowly; then just watch and listen to see whatever comes to mind and heart. Don’t analyze what you hear/see as that is partnering with doubt, just receive it and ask what He wants you to know about it. I encourage you to write it down as it helps process what we are hearing.
Communicating with our Creator is like finding Easter eggs; He places His words for us to discover them but loves it when we respond by searching for more. While He could just throw the whole instruction book at us, instead He chooses a relationship with us. Don’t be so quick to get up and walk away. He wants to engage with you. You aren’t meeting with a busy manager; you are talking with a loving Father!
When people express that they just don’t seem to be hearing anything, I change the question to reflect a picture (Jesus, will You please show me a picture of _____?) and yet for others, it flows better when the questions are about God’s heart (Father, will You please let me feel Your heart about _____?). We are all unique and created in His image therefore His way of communicating with each of us is going to be unique!
We need to have more trust in our Father’s ability to speak than we do in our own ability to hear.
Ask, “Father, how do You feel about talking to me?”