The Places God Speaks

    I have been contemplating the idea of where God speaks to me because it has changed through the years. I did a lot of churchy, bibley things before I began to understand worship, that worship was not about the things I was doing, but the Person I was connecting with. God can speak to us when we worship, not verbally of course, that would be terrifying, but by impressing thoughts/words in our minds. At least that is how it works for me. But it is possible to complete the three main elements of worship--Bible reading, prayer, and singing without one moment of actual worship. 

    Bible reading can be just another task to cross off a to do list. Praying can be reciting a wish list to God without taking a minute to listen for what God might have to say. Singing, which in some churches is equivalent with worship, can be mindlessly mouthing familiar words. I am guilty of all of these, of course, but especially the third. Despite my best intentions, when I start singing a very familiar hymn, my mind wanders. That is why I so appreciate our music pastor's selections of familiar hymns in new arrangements, the unfamiliar music helps me focus. In my case familiarity doesn't breed contempt, it just buys my brain a ticket elsewhere.

    Bible reading is worship when we ask God to speak to us through it. Prayer is worship when we recognize who He is and who we are. We worship when we pray for what God wants, not what we want, and when we are not doing all the talking. Singing also becomes worship when we recognize the God we are singing about and to, whether the music is old or new.

     Church and Bible studies are places of corporate worship and that is important. God speaks to me through His Word at those times. But when the message God has for me is longer and more specific, I am usually in a more private setting--alone in nature, or my car, or my house. But I have also heard from God in the ER, in hotels, even in a shopping mall. During corporate worship, I am paying attention to what is happening around me, as I should be. When I am alone, God's thoughts are easier to distinguish from my own. It is then He will address my questions or concerns. Lately, some of my most moving messages from the Lord have come when I'm in the kitchen cooking, probably because I relax when I cook.

    I'm so glad I don't have to be holding a Bible, singing or praying and especially, be in the church building, every time God wants to message me. I'm pretty sure the Lord and I do not follow the same schedule, and I certainly don't keep the same hours as the One who never slumbers nor sleeps. I do not know the difference between slumber and sleep, but I am fond of both. God speaks to me wherever I am, whenever I am willing to listen. And why wouldn't I listen for the whispered words of the One who loves me most?