His Voice . . . How do you know it’s God?

I have found a sweet spot with my ten-year-old son. The time that he will actually talk to me and tell me the deep things of his heart is at night before he goes to bed. He does not always want to talk, but usually if I am exhausted and ready to drop into bed fairly quickly, he is ready to do some heavy chatting.

Tonight, we started talking and he said that he either wanted to be a preacher or a game producer, meaning he wanted to make new DS games available to kids. I told him that whatever he should do, the Lord would make it clear to him and that the Lord could use him in whatever career choice he made.

He said, “Mom, how do you know the Lord is speaking to you?”

I am so excited whenever my son asks me one of these questions because I know he is growing in his faith with God. This is actually a question I have pondered quite a bit as a Christian. I have wondered and even doubted myself in a couple of situations if it was the Lord speaking to me. It was kind of funny that my son asked me the question because it reminded me of a texting incident I had had earlier that day and I was able to share it from that perspective…

I was supposedly texting my mom and I realized about half-way through that my dad took the phone from my mom and was texting me back. The reason that I know that it was my dad texting me back is because he has a way of talking that I know. He says things such as, “yeah, yeah” and “whatever” quite regularly. 🙂 (You just kind of have to know my dad!) But, I figured it out by certain words he was using. This only comes from a lot of time getting to know my dad and his way of communicating.

I was able to tell my son that we get to know the Lord’s voice through time with Him and in His word. We will most assuredly know it is the Lord by the types of things He says and it will always be consistent with His Word. God will not tell us to do something that is not consistent with His character or His Word. He will probably speak to us, not in a loud booming voice or through some fiery, flashy lights, but in a quiet still voice such as He did with Elijah in 1 Kings.

1 Kings 19:11-13 (New International Version)

11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

I am so thankful for these late night chats with my son. I am even more thankful that our Lord still speaks to us in His gentle whisper that we never have to doubt.

How has God spoken to you lately? Have you ever struggled to figure out if it was Him or not?

8 Responses to His Voice . . . How do you know it’s God?
  1. Genny
    July 13, 2010 | 11:09 pm

    Your son sounds precious, Desiree!

  2. Barbie
    July 14, 2010 | 1:36 am

    What a sweet boy! I love when the Lord brings me lessons through the lives of my children. And it’s so true that only by spending time with the Lord will be truly know His voice. These days I am focusing on hearing His voice through all five senses! It’s amazing how much God speaks to me in the beauty that is all around me.

  3. pauline
    July 14, 2010 | 9:53 am

    I am so glad that you & your family are in our world. Thank you for the sweet words. I thank God for you & your faith. Your are special!

  4. Carol
    July 15, 2010 | 11:50 am

    So true. So true. What a great illustration! Thank you for sharing.

  5. Susan (5 Minutes for Mom)
    July 15, 2010 | 11:47 pm

    Yes, I do find it hard sometimes…

    What a great way to explain such a difficult concept to your son.

  6. Julie
    July 16, 2010 | 1:11 pm

    Thanks for the inspiring information. I can use when my children asked me this question and I know who to ask for answers I might not have yet! Thanks for all your help!

  7. Gina Conroy
    July 17, 2010 | 11:53 am

    Great reminders not only to be still and listen with God, but with our children as well…no matter how exhausted we are! :/

  8. Suzy Oakley
    July 25, 2010 | 8:51 pm

    Desiree, how fortunate your children are. Their mother is a child of the King and is helping them to get to know Him through simple lessons. Thanks for reminding ME how important it is to discern His voice by spending time with Him.