His voice

Praying for wisdom is like praying for patience. Patience comes from being in situations where we need to exercise patience. Wisdom is borne in circumstances necessary to draw it out.

Our Bible says if we ask for wisdom, God gives generously to all without finding fault. I’ve been asking – many times – so I’m sure it is there. It is now my responsibility to call on it and use it. The Holy Spirit inhabits me, which means there is no end to the wisdom potentially available.

I’ve been stretched in new directions in recent times, forcing me to draw deep inside for that living water in me. Disappointing and perplexing situations have caused me to cry out to God, to reach for His wisdom, to long for His voice in these matters.

In the past, I would have gone to my husband to test my thoughts and look for his affirmation because I respected and trusted him so deeply. (I really wish I could hear his wise and comforting voice!) While this is a great thing in marriage, I believe God is saying to me, “Ted is no longer here, but you can do this for yourself. Trust me. Trust yourself to hear me.”

Morning after morning, I take time in the quiet, sifting through the congested voices of the world to search for that still, small voice within me.

Spending time in the quiet in His Word is where I can best hear His beautiful voice. It is a highly valued discipline to untangle the influence of other voices… the sage and searching, the partially enlightened, the well-intentioned, the distracted, the ill-informed, and the outright lies. The quiet is the best place to cut through the cacophony and hear the purest wisdom, the words of God Himself.

After a time, the congestion clears. I am refreshed with hope as I recall a history of God walking with me through the hard things, comforting and sustaining me, and answering prayers in amazing ways. Like a puzzle, the pieces begin to shuffle into place and I can see how some of them fit together.

Reflecting on the events of recent months, I see that as I have been praying for wisdom He has definitely been giving me opportunities to use it.

God, my Father, I love to hear your beautiful voice! As I listen in the quiet, your wisdom is imparted. Guide my thoughts, direct my steps. Help me to have courage to boldly use what you have so abundantly given.