Listening to God

by Kat Clark

But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” –Acts 4:19-20

This Bible verse urged me to ponder the question, to whom do we listen? When we are contemplating a decision do we seek the counsel of others, lean on our own understanding, or do we seek discernment from God? While it is natural and can be useful to seek the advice of trusted godly people in our lives, the final word should come from God. People can steer us wrong even when they have our best interests at heart.

Of course, God can speak to us through others, which is why it’s important to seek the wisdom of those also walking with God. However, God can also speak to us in our own hearts and minds. He can even speak to us in unexpected, simple ways like through a song that comes on at just the right time or the bumper sticker on the car in front of us that seems to be a message specifically for us. Have you had that intuitive feeling about a person, place, or situation? I think our intuition is God talking to us. Sometimes it’s just a feeling.

I am a people-pleaser by nature. I worry about what people think, which is something I’m working on because while it can be helpful, it can also be stifling and confusing. It can keep me from listening to the voice of God.

When my oldest son was in kindergarten, he struggled with separation anxiety and school refusal. He was bringing his school work home blank and I was completing it with him at home. During this time I read an interesting study recounting the success children like my son experienced with homeschooling. The theory was once the anxiety piece was eliminated and the child was in an environment in which they felt safe, authentic learning could occur. I had my doubts that I was organized enough to homeschool. It had never been on my radar, yet I felt called to it. It was constantly on my heart. I asked advice from my son’s counselor, family, and other parents. The advice was mostly unanimous: I shouldn’t do it; I’d be enabling him. He’d fall behind academically and socially. We’d never get him back in school. We toured several public and private schools trying to find a good placement, but it never felt right.

More confused than ever, I knelt down by my bed and prayed: “God, what should I do?” I felt the answer more than I heard it: “I already told you what to do.” “But God, can I do it?” “Would I ask you to do something you weren’t capable of?” A homeschooling mom at my church told me choosing to homeschool is like jumping into the middle of the ocean without a life vest. Against all advice, we closed our eyes and we jumped.

My son thrived at homeschooling. We even found a great co-op for him to attend two days a week. I homeschooled him from first grade through sixth. He finished his first year of full-time high school with a 3.5 GPA. He has a job and a lot of friends. I wonder where he’d be today if I’d listened to well-intentioned advice instead of the voice of God.

Father God, please help us to hear Your voice. Help us to recognize your guidance. Make our paths straight. Thank you for Your wisdom. In Your name, Amen.