God speaks

CHRISTIAN LIVING TODAY

Does God speak to us? How does this occur?

Of course, God primarily speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. There, He tells us about life, creation, how to live, what to do — and what not to do — behaviors, attitudes, worldviews and so much more.

He continues speaking through things we see, and small messages we perceive through simple examples all around us.

I’ve found that God speaks to me through nature, like observations learned when pulling weeds, planting seeds or taking in the beauty and majesty all around me. Whenever I see a rainbow, I stop and look as long as I can and thank God for His message through this sign.

To me, God says, “I know where you live. I want you to see Me. Think of Me. I am faithful. I am trustworthy. I do not forget.”

Oh, how often those reminders soothe my heart and bring perspective during the chaos of daily living.

Wild blackberry picking is another way I see God, and my mind thinks of messages from Him.

I recall the first time this happened, when I had to look beneath the top leaves to find the berry. It was as if He said, “Yes, sometimes you must look below the top layer to find value. Sometimes the thing worth finding is hidden somewhat — it may be in the pocket of thorns, but it’s still worth finding.”

Looking out the plane window during flights shows me God’s perspective and majesty, especially when departing on a rainy or overcast day. When the plane levels off above the clouds, you realize that it is the same day, just from a different perspective. One dark, another bright, but the same.

One special verse to me is from Psalm 139:12: “Even darkness is not too dark for you to see; darkness and light are the same to you.”

Nothing is ever too dark that God cannot see.

Job 33:14 says God speaks one way first, then another, though a person does not perceive it.

Ezekiel 10:5 compares God’s sound to that of the wings of cherubim.

Psalm 50:1 says God summons the earth.

I Peter 4:11 instructs us to speak with God’s words, and to serve with His strength — that He will be glorified. What a privilege to be a tool and bring honor to Jesus in this way.

Be assured that as I prepare for you, I benefit as well.

Thank you for sharing this journey with me. Until next week, Anita

Onarecker, an Elgin resident, author of “Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge” and minister to women and adults, earned a Master of Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007.