Speaking With God

God loves you. How many times have we heard that before?

I remember a guy several years ago that used to be at televised football games, displaying the verse John 3:16 every chance he got.  He was an attention-getter, to be sure.  He had multicolored hair and was usually sitting in one of the first rows somewhere, forever holding the banner with that world-famous reference.  At the time you could ask most people (at least in this country) what that verse was, and I think they could have told you – roughly – what it says.  In case this Scripture is new to you, it states;

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

A lot of people mocked him because of his look, or the fact that he ‘wasted’ his time going to all those games.  I for one appreciate what he did for a couple reasons.  First, I appreciate the fact that he was bold enough to do what he did regardless of what other people thought.  Second, I appreciate the fact that he conveyed the truth, which is God’s Word.  There are a lot of opinions in the world, but not many of those opinions contain information in them that can change your life.  However, God’s Word is the only thing in this life that has the power to change a person from the inside out.  All the religions, theories and ideologies out there attempt to change someone’s mind, but they are powerless to change someone’s heart.  That heart-changing power only comes from God’s Word – the Bible.  Once a person opens their heart to receive the Word of God, then God can begin the process of change that will forever alter that person’s destiny.  The fact is that by displaying that banner at football games he gave people the opportunity to open up their hearts and start a conversation with God.

I think everyone has that moment in their life when they talk to God.  Whether they are willing to admit it or not, everyone has a conversation with Him.  At one time or another there is that sense, that urging, that still small voice in each of us that we should recognize as the calling of God.  This is a universal fact because people are people no matter who they are or where they are from.  Race doesn’t matter. Religion doesn’t matter.  It makes no difference whether they are living in the largest of modern cities or in the deepest forest.  There is in every one of us an innate appreciation of, and desire for, Someone other than themselves.  You can look at various known civilizations throughout history to see evidence of this.  From ancient cuneiform writings to verbal traditions, from songs and poetry to religious practice, man has always attempted to approach God in order to fulfill that innate desire to be in communication with Him.  This communication is termed fellowship in the Bible, and goes far beyond just talking.  The term fellowship carries the implication that those who maintain this relationship have a special bond, a linking of heart and mind that is both common in character and unique in each individual application.  The fact that people feel a need to draw near to God underlies the root problem, which is a sense of separation from Him.  This separation is brought about by sin.  The longer we live the more ingrained this sense of separation can feel, which explains why little children have no problem approaching or talking to God yet adults have all kinds of issues!

Matt 6:5-7

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.  And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”

The simple fact is that our life, our spiritual life, begins with the first step of speaking with God. He speaks to us all the time, through the Word of God, other people and sometimes even through circumstances. The main point, however it happens to us, is that we recognize that He is speaking to us. Once we understand this, we have the choice of listening – and responding – or not.