Which Way

Looking back, it is easy to see that life is full of choices. Some choices are of little importance, whilst others later prove significant in setting a forward path in life. I realise that, for me, decisions have often been influenced by what my heart says, rather than just the plain facts of a matter. But it is obvious to me now, that not all my decisions led me down godly paths, so my heart’s leading wasn’t always helpful. I wasn’t always hearing from God.

I’d like to suggest that, if there is one thing as Christians we need to develop or improve on in 2024, it is the ability to hear from God. I mean not just asking for ‘neon lights’ leading for the big issues of life, but as a daily encouragement that we are on the right path for that day. But how can we hear Him more clearly? It is extremely rare to hear the voice of God with our physical ears, so we need to grow in the ability to hear that still, small voice, the inner leading which only the ‘ears’ of our spirit can detect. If you are of mature years, you will remember that, in the past, we had to adjust a radio so it was tuned into a channel we wanted to hear (Radio Luxembourg perhaps!). So, could our human spirit be similarly adjusted to ‘tune into’ God’s voice: the true God Channel?

Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice and follow me” (John 10:27). So, if we are following Him, then we have previously heard His voice and are near enough to our Shepherd to hear Him regularly. But perhaps we still struggle to hear His voice clearly. Could it be that there is a lot of interference which robs us of the ability to get the message?

Interference will come from any other ‘channels’ which our spirit ‘ears’ are receiving and stop us being fully tuned into God. Some interference may be pressure from people around us today. Some may be unhelpful negative voices still echoing in our spirit from past situations. Some may be the shout of the enemy working through our fears or deep unmet needs. Some may just be our carnal desires. These voices confuse us, they distort our ability to hear clearly from God, robbing us of His vital leading and daily encouragement to walk in His ways. So how do we clear away this interference, so we can hear God more clearly?

Jesus Himself comes to our rescue. He can heal our damaged spirit and help us re-tune and focus our spiritual ears to His voice. He silences the interference of the continuing messages from past experiences, as we forgive those who have damaged us, and ask Him for cleansing from the echoes. He alone can release us from the grip of the enemy and the ongoing buzz of his lies, replacing them with His healing truth. He alone can meet those deep needs and free us from the grip of their desperation. He alone can strengthen us, so we can stand firm against those who seek to divert us into the world’s ways. He alone can help us resist the temptations of our fallen nature. Jesus will help us, heal us, and speak His love into our lives. We have a wonderful Redeemer.

As we start on this year, my desire is to hear God’s voice more clearly, to allow the Holy Spirit to bring more revelation of any interference which distorts His voice, and to increasingly grow in discernment, so I am not led astray by other voices. I want to know that I can hear, ‘This is the path, walk in it’, each day this year. What do you want, as we start this new year?