How does God speak to you? How did God call you to serve in India?
"A thought–I don't know where it came from. But if it matches with scripture and is confirmed through prayer, then I know it was from God." -Hannah
"It was something put on my heart. Not just a thought that went away." -Mack
"A thought that questioned why I wouldn't go somewhere. It was confirmed through the the money that came in and a book which I read which dealt with a missionary in India. I hear God through other people and sometimes when I ask Him something, I will read the answer through His word." – Sarah
"When I saw the trip, I knew when I saw it that I was going to India. The doors just started opening for the trip." – Alyssa
"God led me to the website where the India mission trip was offered. The He placed an urge on my heart to go. It was a desire different than I have ever had and I was so sure about it. God gave me strength to endure the hardships I overcame to get here, but remained faithful to me and was the provider for all my needs both then and now." -Crystal
"The Lord speaks to me in times when it cannot be denied that it is Him who is conversing with me. He loves to answer my questions, thoughts, and prayers through His Holy Spirit during our quiet times, through journalling to Him, and during random moments throughout the day. He speaks through me to speak to me. He also sometimes gives me visions for myself and others. He confirms things in His word through His blessings, through others, times of worship, and with His peace that surpasses all understanding." – Lindsey
"God told me to go to India through an outburst of happy tears I had when I fittest read about this trip. He convicted my heart in such a way that I could not deny His presence/peace about this decision." – Molly
"When I was eleven, God told me I was going to India at church one morning. It was hidden in my heart, I didn't necessarily have an outward feeling toward it. It was kinda an idea. I prayed about coming. Then God showed me a lot more things relating to India and I came across more Indian people. Going to India sounded like a good idea. I had confirmation through having my needs completely met- shelter, food, and contacts. God speaks to me through thoughts which are backed up by the Word and are strategically specific that I cannot make it up myself. He speaks through His words and people. I get words sometimes and visions every once in a while. Through music, too. The most powerful and intense times I feel Him is in worship. He has woke me up in my sleep to talk to me, giving me lyrics to songs and just spending time with me."
Whether it is an assured thought or a mild feeling of something we have to do, God speaks to us. He knows our minds are sometimes like scatterbrains, and He knows that our hearts are sometimes cold to what He might have to say. Therefore God speaks to us in our own language. In the night, random times of day, during hardships, or in the best times of our lives. God will say get up and go.
But how can we be sure that is a word from the Lord. What will it take to confirm that is where He is leading us to be?
God has led me to believe that He speaks to everyone in different ways. Just like there are multiple ways of learning, there are multiple ways where He tells us those special secrets about our lives. God will never leave you hanging. He always hears our prayers.
Perhaps you are looking for the guidance in your life, but feel like God is not laying down a path for you to walk in. First of all, do you belong to God? John 8:47 say, "He who belongs to God hears what He says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."
Belonging to God: "Those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires" – Galatians 5:25
If you do belong to God, perhaps you just have not seen the way God has been speaking to you. Maybe keep your mind open about the way in which He will reveal Himself to you. Step back and realize God is a gentleman with a soft heart. If you are waiting for an extravagant answer like the Jews when they were waiting for their King, maybe instead you could look for the greatness in a humbling whisper.
Is there something that you have longed to do in your life? Some of kind deep desire that burns in your heart? Pull that box out of the closet and open it. I challenge you to commit to finding scriptures that may or may not support that dream you have. Pray that God highlights verses as you read through His Word. If after the two days you can only find verses that support that old dream, perhaps God did humbly whisper that desire into your heart years ago.
Now think back and see if you remember times when situations reminded you of that old box in the closet. Perhaps a sermon at church had you thinking of that old dream, or a job opportunity recently surfaced which left you reminiscing on what you have always wanted to do… Is that God's fate being laid out before you? Is that God trying to S-P-E-L-L it out for you? Or is that you just disregarding His secrets to you because you were expecting something bigger and better?
God always has things to say to you, but are you ready to hear it?
