At our church it’s not uncommon during our worship time for our pastor to ask us to be still and listen for the voice of God and what he is saying to us in that moment. God wants to talk to his children so it’s normal to expect that to happen when we are actively listening. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 NLT
The thing is though, I oftentimes wonder if I’m hearing God’s voice or my own thoughts. Do you have that problem, too? I mean it’s not very often that I hear a loud, booming voice from heaven. Actually, I never hear a loud booming voice. Most often I hear the voice of God through the thoughts he puts in my head, which can sometimes leave me wondering if it’s God’s voice or me thinking the things I want him to say to me. So, during our worship time when I’m listening for God and hear the words, “I love you, Nancy” I wonder if it’s God speaking to me or if I’m telling myself that so I “hear” something that I think is true.
I was at a leadership conference recently and one of the breakout speakers was talking about how important it is that we really believe that God loves us. As I processed what he was saying I thought to myself, “I think I really believe God loves me. I mean, he gave up his life for me. If that doesn’t say love, what does?”
However a little later in that session he asked us to be still and listen for the voice of God. As I listened I again heard, “I love you, Nancy.” At this point I kind of “talked back” to God and said, “Is this the only thing I’m ever going to hear when I’m listening for you?” Immediately the thought came into my mind, “Until you believe me, yes, it’s the only thing you’re going to hear.”
I was overwhelmed with this message from God. I mean, if you’d asked me I would have told you that yes, I believe God loves me but the truth is, I oftentimes wonder if I really do measure up. Am I really good enough for God? If I were having a conversation with you I would have no trouble assuring you that God is crazy about you. But deep down inside of me, if I were really honest with myself, I’d say I’m not quite convinced that he’s that the same kind of crazy about me. Or, at least I wasn’t.
God, however, in his graciousness, won’t let me live with the “am I good enough?” question lingering in my heart. He’ll keep reminding me again and again how much he loves me and it has nothing to do with how “good” I am. Instead, it has everything to do with how good he is!
Nothing can steal his love from us. He’ll pursue us with his amazing love as long as we have days on this earth. And then he’ll shower us with more love as we dwell with him in heaven.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” Psalm 8:38-39
Do you struggle with remembering how much God loves you? Perhaps reminding yourself every day would be in order. That’s what I’m doing. When we speak words of truth to ourselves we will eventually start to believe them.
‘Long ago the Lord said to Israel; “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” Jeremiah 31:3
This is wonderful Nancy and I thank you for it! While I’m thanking you, thanks for bringing yourself and your loved ones to visit your Mom – and me!
Thank YOU, Jane, for your kind words. It was so good to see you while I was in California!