Hearing voice of God is life-changing moment

With all the tweeting, texting and talking, can God still tweak our ear? Can we feel the tug of his presence when technology leaves little time for tuning in?

From my experience, there have been times he has had to practically shout.

This incident happened in 1977 when we lived in a very small town in the California Mojave desert, a place where my husband got his first teaching job. Our plans were to stay only a year and then move to the Northwest – Oregon, in our minds.

Nine years later we still hadn't made any headway, although we had sent an avalanche of resumes. The reception was icy and it appeared Californians were not welcome in that state.

Still, I faithfully prayed – and complained – endlessly. But then one day while I was taking a hot shower, whining and grumbling to God, his voice stopped me cold.

“What if I want you to stay here,” the words boomed in my mind, an emphasis on the “I”.

In that instant, I heard and recognized the One I’d pleaded to for months on end, but to whom I had never stopped to listen.

The moment was life-changing.

From that day forward I adopted a new attitude, realizing this gal who once was an L.A. shopper needed to buy into God’s plan – even if it meant staying in Barstow for a lifetime. I also changed the way I prayed. It wasn’t always me talking to him, but rather quietly spending time listening.

God now had my ear – and my will. Within a year circumstances changed, all heavenly orchestrated, and we were headed north to our new life and new teaching job in Washington.

Since then, at different points in my life, I have taken time to journal thoughts, concerns and inspiration during my prayer time. But sometimes “life,” in the form of a computer or smartphone has edged into the morning, pushing journaling aside.

Nevertheless, God has a way of getting our attention in more ways than one. The book, Jesus Calling by author Sarah Young, found its way into my hands – a reminder of the importance of time spent in quiet with God. A time that changes how we proceed through our day and ultimately through life.

Silence. Stillness. Serenity.

These are rare commodities in our culture, one attuned to social media and technology. But the Bible tells us to “Be still and know that I am God.”

Really, he shouldn’t have to shout.

If you have a story idea for Light Notes, email lluginbill@tricityherald.com. Follow Lucy on Twitter @LucyLuginbill

This story was originally published November 30, 2014 at 6:45 AM with the headline "Hearing voice of God is life-changing moment."