Trusting His Voice

Tuesday afternoon, September 30, 2008 [a beautiful, sunny day; 880],
The following is a quote from Henri Nouwen: "Conversion is certainly not something you can bring about yourself. It is not a question of willpower. You have to trust the inner voice that shows the way. You know that inner voice. You turn to it often. But after you have heard with clarity what you are asked to do, you start raising questions, fabricating objections, and seeking everyone else's opinion. Thus you become entangled in countless often contradictory thoughts, feelings, and ideas and lose touch with the God in you. And you end up dependent on all the people who have gathered around you. Only by attending constantly to the inner voice can you be converted to a new life of freedom and joy" ("The Dance of Life;" p. 75-76).
One of the questions I have heard most frequently during my years as a pastor and counselor is this: How can I know that I have heard God speak to me? It most often comes out of fear and frustration. The person really wants to know what God is saying, desperately need His direction, but is frustrated in the trying and fearful that missing His voice will end in disaster. Truth be known, each one of us has been in this difficult place numerous times. I feel sure that most of us would agree that it would be much easier for us, if God would simply speak audibly or send us a letter in His handwriting, even an email; however, for reasons best left to Him, He has chosen for us to walk in faith and, therefore, without much clarity.
Although, I do not think it is necessarily a negative thing for us to seek the counsel of another, I do agree with Nouwen, in that far too many of us put more trust in the opinions of others, than we do in Him. Sadly, when we finally believe we have heard correctly, we do tend to second guess what we heard and begin raising all kinds of questions and objections, and rush to someone else for confirmation. Most often this leads only to more confusion, fear, and frustration.
For some reason, most Christians are of the opinion that other, more mature believers, are able to hear more clearly what God is saying, than they, themselves, can hear. Over the years, I have noticed that there is no short supply of those, who are willing to tell you, unequivocally, what God is saying to you, and most of the time you do not even have to ask them. Sadly, most of the time, their "spiritual" advice is anything but what God is saying to you. To be sure, many people have been led down unnecessarily difficult paths because they did not trust the Voice that shows the way.
Yes, learning to trust that Voice takes a bit of practice, along with a willingness to completely misunderstand it; however, doing so with the inner-knowing that He will never leave you nor forsake you, only allowing what He deems best to come into your life.
It really is safe to trust Him, even when He wispers--