Hearing from God

A friend was asked a few questions about ‘hearing from God’ which he passed on to me, and I enjoyed having a go at them. They’re fairly big concepts really, and I got thinking too, what it meant to me to ‘hear from God’ when I was ‘walking in divorce country’.

When I think back, I know one of the most significant times (ever) that God chose to speak to me (through someone who was willing to listen to Him on my behalf) was the night before my wedding anniversary – the first wedding anniversary after being separated. So, in the darkest place, really. And God’s timing was perfect…

He used the words of this person encourage me to grieve, but more than that, to grieve and ‘walk on’, not stay in this dark place. He said he would ‘inject light’ into the dark room I was waiting in, He would pour water onto the dry ground, and He would lead me toward healing. I was reminded to stop and listen to God, always. To take time and space with Him, and not to try to do all of this on my own. And most of all, to remind me just how much God loves me.

They’re not unusual metaphors, but they’re very real encouragements. We do often sit for too long in a dark room, and we need someone to open the door for us. Lift the blinds and let in the light.

I’ve never really thought much about the phrase ‘blinds’ but it’s interesting isn’t it – the covers we use to keep out the light are called ‘blinds’. We think it’s safer in the dark, but really, we’re just avoiding the light. The light might reveal, which is hard, but there is grace. A lot of it! And we will heal. It’s only when we can honestly face our situation and let Gods light, and love and grace, shine on it, that we can begin to walk toward healing. And walk past that healing into the new life He offers us.