Southern California has some of the most beautiful mountain communities in the world. The fingerprint of God is undeniable as you sit and take in the picturesque hillsides covered in towering ponderosa pines and incense-cedar trees. Eagles soar overhead while bighorn sheep trapse the streams and scale rugged terrain. Birds chirp, and squirrels prance. Rustling branches and running waters bring a symphony of peace while the sounds of the distant cities and busy roads disappear. If you listen closely enough, you can hear the gentle voice of God.
A few years ago, I had the privilege to lead at a premier Christian camp in the mountains of Southern California. I was working in a role that utilized many of my gifts and talents, and every day felt like a new and exciting adventure. I thought I could do this work for my entire life and eventually retire there. I felt like I had finally found my “dream job.” Until a nudge within started pushing me towards my unique purpose for work and life. I couldn’t deny a stirring within me that aligned with the words of the Trusted Voices in my life
The first Trusted Voice leading me was God. I have spent most of my adult life walking in a relationship with Him and learning to hear His voice amid such a loud and misleading world. I recognize this claim can sound odd to some and be difficult for others to understand. I must tell you that this is not a magical power or some super spiritual exercise. Hearing from God is something anyone can learn to do.
God speaks to each of us differently. Sometimes, it's a still, small voice. Other times, He audibly speaks to us in a loud voice that rocks us to the core. He can even talk to us through nature and the vast breadth of His creation, including other people. God can also speak to us through His written word. The more time we spend quietly in His presence, asking Him to reveal Himself and His plan for us, the more we can discern His voice through the many avenues He uses to connect with us.
When I was working at the camp, God kept prompting me to prepare for a transition. I felt this in the quiet time I had spent with Him over many weeks and months. I patiently waited as He began to reveal what this transition would look like. The desire to support and encourage people began to rise deep within me. I felt burdened to help people find and fulfill the unique purpose for their work and lives. Whenever I had a conversation with someone focused on their career goals or life purpose, I would walk away completely energized and motivated. I began to realize I could understand complex or confusing situations in people’s lives and discern a path forward for them.
God had made it clear to me that it was time to take a step of faith. It was time to leave my role at the camp and begin my journey as a coach. He had taken me through many life experiences that helped me gain the wisdom and insight I needed to help people. I felt it was my duty to help encourage and support them to live a life without setbacks. God’s voice is what led me into full-time coaching.
Do you think God is trying to speak to you? Do you think He is trying to lead you into the work and life that is truly satisfying?
I promise you this: God is speaking to you. He wants to guide and give you confidence about what He created you to fulfill in this lifetime. He wants to be a Trusted Voice in your life. Your responsibility is to acknowledge this and attempt to listen to His voice the best you can.
Hearing from God is a practice that takes us a lifetime to master. Many resources have been created, and many books have been written that will help you understand how to discern and hear God’s voice. There is no perfect way to hear from Him, but you must try. Start by spending some quiet time alone and sharing your thoughts and concerns with God. Speak these thoughts out loud or write them down. Be open during this time, and let God start to speak to you in whatever way you sense Him doing it.
If this is difficult for you or if you feel like you are getting nowhere, I also suggest you ask for help from people you trust who have a relationship with God. Let them share with you how they hear from Him, and allow them to offer resources and advice that have guided them successfully along the way.
No matter how you begin to hear from God. Remember that His feedback will be the most trusted and best feedback you can ever follow. God will begin to speak to you and reveal things for your life, and not long after, the other Trusted Voices in your life will begin to say the same things. Listen to the voices in your life, whether that is God or the people you are close to, and allow them to help guide you to discover your unique purpose for work and life.
Here is a simple exercise that I pulled from The Purpose Plan to help you hear from God:
Exercise:Discover Yourself – Time with God
This exercise will require you to find quiet, uninterrupted time with God. Taking time to spend with God may feel easy and familiar to you, or it may feel odd and brand new. Either way, step out in faith here and spend some quiet time in prayer with God. Ask Him the following questions and document what He shares with you.
1) What did You create me for?
2) How can I make a difference in the world and bring glory to You?
3) What things would You like me to accomplish with Your help?
You can find this exercise and many others in The Purpose Plan, a coaching program created to help you understand and fulfill the unique purpose God has for your work and life. Learn more about it here:
The Purpose Plan
A simple coaching program to help you confidently fulfill the unique purpose God has for your work and life.
Remember, God is speaking to you and He wants to be a Trusted Voice in your life. It’s up to you to listen to Him. Take time this week to be in His presence, you've got this!
