A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So, Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So, Samuel went and lay down in his place. 1 Samuel 3:8-9
Prayer is the most meaningful and impactful mode of communication with God. But it is not the only way we can communicate with God. The Almighty uses different modes of communication to reach us. Unfortunately, too many people lack the spiritual focus to discern when God is communicating with them. Perhaps, this is because we have too many distractions. Indeed, we are often distracted by the cares of this world. Those distractions deafened our spiritual ears to the voice of God and rob us of the privilege to know what God is doing in our lives and in our world.
God communicates with us through songs, dreams, revelations, sermons, nature, crises, as well as the different mediums we use to communicate with one another (text, email, chat, and all forms of social media). The Lord is multidimensional and dynamic in His communication. He has the most advanced and sophisticated communication network system that He uses to connect with us intimately and purposefully.
How do we declutter our lives, so we communicate with God effectually? First, be intentional about setting time aside to commune with God. Make sure nothing or no one distract you or hinder you from spending quality time with God. Adjust your schedule in a way that makes it possible for you to spend meaningful and undisturbed time with God. One of the reasons I rise early in the morning to pray is because I can hear from God and talk to God without distractions. At 4:AM, there is no TV, email, text, or noise pollution to worry about. While everyone else is asleep, I can steal away to be in the presence of God and communicate with Him through prayer, songs of praise, meditation, or silence.
Second, prioritize reading scripture daily and diligently. Indeed, God speaks to us in His word. When we read the word of God, we hear the voice of God and find instructions for godly living. The word of God nourishes our souls and waters our spirits so we can remain hidden with Christ in God. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Third, remain open to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the chief communication officer (CCO) in heaven. He is the one who convicts our hearts and makes God’s divine mysteries known to us. The Holy Spirit enables us to discern when God is speaking to us or not. He gives us the wisdom to remain tuned into the frequency of God’s voice, so we are not misled by demonic voices.
Why is it important to know when God is communicating with us, and how to best communicate with God? Many people miss their blessings because they cannot hear when God is talking to them. When God was ready to choose Samuel as the prophet to replace Eli, the young man could not discern that it was God talking to him because he lacked spiritual maturity. On three occasions Samuel went to Eli thinking that it was the prophet calling him. But Eli, realizing that it was God trying to communicate with the young prophet, told Samuel to "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, `Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So, Samuel went and lay down in his place (1 Samuel 3:1-11).
My daily prayer is for God to speak and for me to listen. I pray for the Holy Spirit to declutter my spiritual ears so I can hear from the Lord. I do not want to miss God’s divine instructions for my life. So, I try to remain tuned to the voice of God through prayer, daily reading of His word, songs, and meditations.
Questions for Personal Reflection
Can you discern when God is communicating with you?
What are some of the things that are distracting you from communicating with God?
Prayer- Blessed Lord, please help me to stay connected with you and hear from you without distractions. May your Holy Spirit sensitize my spiritual ears so I can hear from you and know when you are speaking with me.
Notable Communication Quotes
“The truest communication with God is absolute, total silence; there is not a single word in existence that can convey this communication.” — Bernadette Roberts
“God longs intensively for unhindered communication and total response between Him, and the believer indwelt by the Holy Spirit.”
“The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply.”
“The art of communication is the language of leadership.” James Humes
“Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity.”
“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God.” Brother Lawrence
“Christians have forgotten that the ministry of listening has been committed to them by Him who is Himself the great listener and whose work they should share. We should listen with the ears of God that we may speak the Word of God.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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