Communication

Communicating with God is different than with our peers. I have never had a voice come down from heaven and directly talk with me. Except for a few instances recorded in the Bible where God spoke directly to someone such as Paul on the road to Damascus, it is obvious that He has chosen to communicate in a different manner. I have often wished that God would tell me directly what He wanted me to do, especially when facing very difficult decisions. I thought it would be nice if I could come in to work in the morning, open my e-mail and there would be a list of what God wants me to do today. God does not micro-manage however; I’m sure he knew what He was doing when he set it up this way anyway, as we would likely just let Him down more than we do now.

If He does not directly communicate, how can we know His will? I think it is easy to know in general terms, but difficult for specific items.
For example, should you take that new job? Buy that expensive car or house? Teach that Sunday school class? Marry the person you are dating? Join a particular church? Ask for a raise? One way God communicates is through the Bible. I research the Bible for answers and that is as close as I have ever come to a direct revelation from God.
More times than I can ever remember, when faced with a difficult problem, I have opened my Bible directly to the passage that completely addresses my concerns. The hair stands up on my neck and spiritual goose bumps run up and down my spine when this happens. I feel like falling flat on my face before the presence of God.

We of course communicate to God through prayer. I have felt God’s presence at this time too. Particularly when my prayer was intense.
One time I had done something that was really wrong and I was standing praying and asking God to forgive me. Instantly a powerful, wonderful feeling swept through me. It was so intense, that I actually fell to my knees. I could actually “feel” God forgiving me. My eyes were filled with tears as the grace of God cleansed me. Whew! Talk about spiritual goose bumps.

These incidents are not the norm. Generally I personally know whether or not I am within the will of God through peace of mind, or lack thereof. When I am near to God I feel a deep sense of peace often accompanied by inner joy. I am generally pretty much always a happy person, but this feeling is different and very hard to describe. I never experienced anything like it until I became a Christian and sincerely believe that non-Christians and those outside of God’s will for their lives cannot experience it either. It actually surpasses our understanding and words are inadequate to describe the peace of God and JOY that is present when we are within God’s will. When I drift or choose the wrong road, I cannot have peace and it seems that insurmountable obstacles are at every turn. Within the will of God, everything seems to just fall into place.

It is different communicating with God, but prayer combined with Bible study and attending a church where you feel at home will yield you big dividends. It is, (or should be), the ultimate goal of every Christian.
Doing the will of God is the reason that we were created.

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James 4:8
Draw near to God and He will
draw near to you…