Learning to recognize the Father's voice

I couldn’t recognize the number flashing on my cell phone. It was an unfamiliar number, unregistered in my address book. But, the voice on the other end wasn’t unfamiliar at all. At the first sound of “Hello” voiced, I knew instantaneously who it was. It was dad! He had called in simply to remind me of our dinner appointment that night.

It isn’t surprising that I managed to detect my Dad as the caller so almost immediately, is it? After all, he’s my dad! How can I not know his voice? Perhaps you too can relate to a similar experience, where you could immediately recognize the voice of the person calling you without needing any other clues. Maybe it’s a close friend, family member, or partner.

I wish I could say that I can recognize our heavenly Father’s voice as instantaneously too. I wish I can honestly say that my relationship with Him is as close as the one I have with my dad. For how well I recognize His voice is an indication of how well I know Him and close I am in my relationship with Him. But I know can’t say that. I still often lack the discipline or desire to talk to Him & read His Word, even though I know I should. I let the busyness of daily going-ins and –outs take precedence before Him. As a result, I sometimes find myself in confusion when trying to discern between God’s voice, my inner voice and other people’s voice.

And so, I pray that the Father will continue to grow me deeper in love with Him each day. I want to be able to recognize His voice; His leading and guidance in my every day life, as simply & clearly as possible, as He would allow. Nothing beats the delight and joy of following His commands and ways in life.

"We can't always know the mind of God, but we can always know the heart of God." ~Beth Moore