Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

—Proverbs 3:5–6

MY OLDEST SON was earnestly reaching out for an answer. After a rather contentious discussion with his teenage daughter, he was looking for confirmation that the course of action he had insisted on was right. It had seemed the right thing at the time. But now doubts were creeping in, and he needed to be sure that he had done what was truly in her best interest.

He told me he had prayed that God would give him a sign that what he was doing was right. But after asking for an answer, he was concerned that he wouldn't recognize God's response. So he asked further that His answer be so straightforward that there would be no doubt.

My son struggled with his feelings throughout the day. On his way home from work, he was driving past a church in the neighborhood when the message board out front caught his attention. In bold letters it announced, "If you're looking for a sign from God, well, here it is!"

Immediately, my son said his thought was filled with calmness, and the doubt and anguish vanished. And very soon he got clear indications from his daughter that the decision had been right.

Several questions come to mind:

• Was this a coincidence? Or was it an answer to prayer—an example of the Bible promise that God "will speak peace unto his people" (Ps. 85:8)?

• Does God speak to us in modern times? If so, how?

• Can we be sure the communication is authentic, and not merely a product of our own wishful thinking?

The Bible gives us some helpful background in answering these kinds of questions. This Book of books is a record of God's interaction with humankind over a period of many centuries. There are several accounts of individuals who saw radical changes for the better, confirming that the inspiration was indeed from God, the source of all goodness.

Abraham heard God's voice calling him to move away from the familiar landmarks of his homeland and take up residence in a distant land (see Gen. 12:1). By his willing obedience, he received a promise that through his descendants, all nations of the earth would be blessed. And he became the forebear of the three great monotheistic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Moses is portrayed as having actual conversations—"face to face"—with God (Ex. 33:11). Through divine guidance, he freed his people from a life of slavery.

Prophets like Abraham and Moses were, in effect, mouthpieces for God, who brought to light what they had discerned of the divine will. As a result, they were able to bring great blessing to those around them who were willing to listen and follow the divine plan.

People who study Christian Science learn that God, or infinite Spirit, is the divine Mind, among other things. Everything that is good and true has its origin in this Mind, and Mind, or God, is constantly expressing Himself, because He is the only Cause and Creator of the universe, including you and me. Mary Baker Eddy wrote in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, "All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all" (p. 468). Because this Mind is forever caring for its creation, it's logical that humankind should be able to hear and act on the right and useful ideas originating in this divine Mind—that these messages will come in a form that we can perceive and follow.

A musician knows that if a tuning fork or a stringed instrument is vibrating (and sending out sound waves), nearby tuning forks or other stringed instruments, if tuned to the same frequency, will begin to resonate or vibrate in harmony with the original device. The sound waves of the original will set the other instruments to vibrating at the same frequency. While analogies are imperfect, it is helpful to see that, in a similar way, spiritually minded individuals resonate with Spirit, and that this resonance appears in human lives as good instruction, protection, blessing, and healing.

God's messages have sometimes been perceived as speech, but this isn't always the case. This is because it isn't words themselves, but the inspiration in hearts and lives, that constitutes the true message, and confirms a divine origin. When the Bible prophet Elijah prayed on Mount Carmel, his prayer was answered by fire falling from heaven (see I Kings 18:17–39). Gideon found his answer to prayer in a sign from God involving dew on or around a sheep's fleece (see Judges 6:36–40). And when Hezekiah prayed, he saw the sun's shadow actually retreat backward (II Kings 20:10, 11).

But God can touch lives even through a simple message on a church signboard. Everyone is capable of "hearing," or experiencing God's guidance, through spiritual sense. It may be worth listening, then, for that "still small voice" in unexpected places in our daily lives (I Kings 19:12). Perhaps even in the remarks of a spouse or friend, we may discern a divine message, if we're alert to receive it!

Are there any guidelines for listening spiritually? With all that clamors for our attention in the world today, it's no wonder that listening for the "still small voice" of Spirit is difficult. I've found it helpful to cultivate an inner quietness that allows for the silent utterances of all that is holy. Christ Jesus, who was constantly listening for divine guidance from his heavenly Father, recommended that we go into a private place (the King James Version of the Bible calls it a "closet") and shut the door—that is, close out the worldly clamor (see Matt. 6:6). Science and Health summarizes it: "To enter into the heart of prayer, the door of the erring senses must be closed. Lips must be mute and materialism silent, that man may have audience with Spirit, the divine Principle, Love, which destroys all error" (p. 15).

As I see it, there are at least two things to remember if we hope to hear God speaking: 1) It is important that we shut the mental door. 2) It is especially important that we be on the right side of that door.

We all need plenty of spiritual guidance. It is what saves us from many needless detours on the path of life. In our passage through this world, it is the progress of our spiritual journey that is truly important. God does not play hide-and-seek with us. As Jesus said, "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). The real question is not whether God speaks to us today. The more important consideration is, Are we listening? |CSS