Why is it when we talk to God, we're said to be praying, but when God talks to us, we're schizophrenic? Lily Tomlin.
If we listen closely to God we might hear:
Tell the kids I love them.
Let's meet at my house Sunday before the game.
What part of "Thou Shalt Not..." didn't you understand?
We need to talk.
Don't make me come down there.
That "Love Thy Neighbour" thing... I meant it.
Will the road you're on get you to my place?
My way is the highway. (Internet Source)
Seriously, God does speak to us. Rebecca Barlow Jordan in "8 ways God Speaks to Us" says God speaks to us through: His Word, Jesus, nature, creation, other believers, music, circumstances, His Spirit and prayer.
Daily scripture is a favourite way I listen to God. Let me share a few examples of how God continues to speak through even the most familiar passages we have heard so many times before.
"If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; if your foot causes you to stumble, cut if off" from Mark 9:41-50: this passage may be problematic to some. Obviously Jesus doesn't want us to take it literally.
My morning reflection, along with the assistance of The Word Among Us recently gave me new insights into this passage. Jesus is challenging us to leave behind whatever it is that is causing us to falter. If an occasion leads us to sin; avoid that occasion. If viewing some media leads us astray, avoid that sight. We do not have to literally pluck out our eye.
Another example comes to mind - the wedding feast at Cana and the miracle of changing the water into wine. After sixty some years you would think there is no new insight to be gathered here. Yet in the last year two different sources have led me to a deeper understanding.
Jesus took the huge barrels which held the waters used in ablutions or cleansing. These He filled with the New Wine which represents His cleansing blood, shed for us and shared with us in the sacramental Eucharist. This new wine will take away our sins and give us everlasting life. "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I in him" (John 6:56).
Another deep inspiration struck me recently:
"For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring and My blessing on your descendants; they will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams" (Isaiah 44:3).
God promises to bless the descendants of His faithful servants. I can see how this has happened through several generations of my Russian-German ancestors and what a consolation it is to have God's promise for our descendants.
God is so present in creation. This winter we set record cold temperatures. Despite the wind chills hitting minus 50, the sun shone so brightly it could raise our spirits.
God continues speaking to those who take the time and make the effort to listen.
