Many think God mostly speaks to us supernaturally. And the Bible has many stories about God speaking to man in miraculous ways that might be used to support that point of view. A voice from heaven, a burning bush, a finger writing on a wall, even speaking through the jawbone of an ass.
We read about these supernatural occurrences, and they make us want to see a bolt of lightning, hear the clap of thunder, and have some translucent vision appear before us with oracle-like words of wisdom that answer the big questions of life. This would make it very easy for us to know the message was truly from God.
And for some, this is the only way they would be convinced that it is God speaking.
But God speaks to us in many ways. Sometimes it is a thought that comes into your mind, yet resonates in your spirit. Or you may stumble upon an answer to a question you had asked God in prayer.
Sometimes it is a stray thought that motivates you to act in a slightly different way – like going out to lunch instead of eating at your desk as you normally do, only to find out when you return, there was an automobile accident and one of the cars crashed through the front of your building and came to rest on top of your desk.
Sometimes it’s that small, still voice you hear in your head when you are thinking about something that matters very deeply to you. It feels like a candid conversation you would have with a friend that knows you very well.
Sometimes it’s a clear, seemingly audible voice that is telling you words you need to hear right away – explicit instructions, or the reply to something you have been contemplating for a long while and are just now ready to receive the message.
And sometimes God uses miracles – amazing good things that are highly unlikely to occur, but do – to speak to us. Miracles happen every day.
Most people attribute miracles to chance or good fortune, not to God.
But what is chance? Chance is a statistical probability, the odds of something happening. It is a
mathematical calculation. Miracles require agency, something actually happening. Chance does not have agency. It cannot make things happen.
And what is good fortune or good luck? Many will say it is being in the right place at the right time. If that be the case, I would ask, “How does one come to be at the right place at the right time?”
From my biblical worldview, I believe God navigates the circumstances of our lives to be at the right place at the right time.
While He can speak to us in a supernatural or miraculous fashion, more often than not, He speaks to us through other people. Oftentimes God uses the hands, feet, voices, and resources of others to minister and speak to His people.
You may hear a word from someone that confirms what you should do about something that has been on your mind. It could be a suggestion, an act of kindness, words of encouragement, anything. It could be someone showing up and saying, “For some unknown reason, I am motivated to give you this.”
Other Christians might be more aware of His hand in matters and tell you directly, “God told me to… (fill in the blank) for/to you.”
This is how God typically ministers to us, through other people. We just need to be listening and to recognize it is Him.
The Bible says:
“I am the good Shepard. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me”
― John 10:14, Berean Study Bible
It also says:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
― John 10:27, English Standard Version
IF we hear His call AND respond according to His purpose, all things will work out for our good.
All of these ways of God speaking to us can be found in the Bible. And I, and many people I know, experience them every day.