Speak to me...

I know, I know, what I am about to say is not a new thought. You have probably had thoughts similar to this sometime in the last month, maybe even this week. Someone reading this is going to recognize a email conversation we shared and wonder if I am "borrowing" from them. And yes, I am; and if you have a problem with it, get your own blog!!! Just kidding!

Here it is: I wish God would speak to me the way He did to (fill the the blank) in the Bible. I wish He still spoke so clearly, so I could know for sure if I am supposed to marry this guy or buy this house or take this job or confront this friend....I sure would like a burning bush, blinding light, angel of the Lord appearance, or even just an audible answer to the question plaguing my heart.

So, why doesn't God speak to us in these same ways we read in Scripture? When did He stop using the blinding light approach, because from what I read in the New Testament the results were pretty remarkable in the life of Saul turned Paul. So why doesn't He try this with me? Or you?

Or, does He?

I am not trying to say that God does not speak to us, because I believe that He does. I know in my own life, He certainly has, and does, and for that I am very grateful. I marvel at His love every time He speaks to me.

But, let's face the facts; a campfire is the closest I've come to a burning bush. Hurricane Rita is as much of an encounter as I've had with natural phenomenons like the Red Sea or Noah's flood. And the only blinding lights I've run into are the stupid people who insist on driving with their brights on. So, why not me? And why not you?

I've got a theory. Something that just brewed up, so I might post later this week and tell you I changed my mind, but for tonight, here it is: Jesus. You see, just maybe God's need to get our attention through such seemingly "dramatic" ways changed with Jesus. Through Jesus we have the Holy Spirit, and access to the Father at our whim and fancy. That was never the case before. If we are searching for an answer, longing for a clear leading, praying for revelation, God can lead us slowly, gently, sometimes even almost "non-existantly" towards His answer through the Holy Spirit's prompting in our lives. Because of this, sometimes we arrive at our answer without even realizing just how awe-inspiring the journey was.

Jesus changed something else; the body of Christ. See, through the blood of Jesus now there are little holy spirit's all over the world. (okay, that sentence is really bad theology, but bare with me...) Sometimes I discredit what other believers say to me. Well, that is just their opinion, or any other long line of excuses. And sometimes, maybe that is the case.

But think about this; if someone shares "wisdom" or "insight" and they are filled with the Holy Spirit, God Himself could have just audibly given you the answer you were searching for.

But how do we know?

I don't know.

But I do know this; I have not let myself be blown away by the FACT that the Holy Spirit resides in me. Jesus. God. Holy. Perfect. All-powerful. All-knowing. Healer. Just. Righteous. Loving. Creator of every living thing, His power and presence are mine. He abides in ME. HE adibes in me. He abides IN me.

Somehow, just somehow, I think there is no story of God speaking that amazes me more than this one. And the humbling thing is this story is mine. My prayer is that it is your story too.