God Talks and inspiring them afresh

 God Talks to Those Who Are Humbled by Their Circumstances

Over twenty-five years ago, I attended a conference in which five of the former presidents of a youth organization inspired their "troops" by telling us about God -- not what He did, but what He said to them. They told us of their relationships with God, their conversations with God -- how God talked to them, inspiring them afresh, even when they were greatly fatigued. They described turning-point moments when they chose to believe the impossible, identifying how and when God told them to move forward into unknown territories, convincing them He would go ahead of them.

Comparing my life to theirs at the time seemed futile. But the one area each professed as the most important possession of a leader was his or her willingness to let God talk to them, to give them powerful ideas at important moments. This was compelling to me because it was attainable by anyone. Hearing God speak, they said, was not dependent on gender or age, education, or position.

God talks to those who are humble enough to listen to wise advice, willing to relinquish their plans for His, able to wait, and not move ahead of Him impulsively.

This concept was revolutionary to me. More importantly, it took hold of me. Convinced, I immediately began to imitate the lives of these leaders by diligently spending time every day listening to God talk to me. Surprised, encouraged, and excited by my own conversational relationship with God, I wanted more. With very little effort, I uncovered numerous other historical, political, corporate, and religious leaders who spoke of a conversational relationship with God as a non negotiable component of their lives..

Peter Marshall, chaplain of the U.S. Senate in the 1940s,  was one of those humble leaders who regularly and warmly spoke about his unique companionship with God. For example, he considered God's specific instructions for each day, similar to a soldier, who receives "marching orders from the Captain." As a spiritual leader to politicians, an exciting communicator to college students, and a preacher who spoke in filled-to-capacity auditoriums, Marshall's simple prayers and profound sermons instilled confidence in the average person by assuring him or her that God speaks -- whether we listen to Him or not.

He consistently made a strong appeal to all men and women to humbly posture themselves, especially leaders, by setting aside time each day to listen to God talk. In fact, most of his recorded sermons included vivid instruction, first and foremost,detailing practical ways to communicate with God in two-way conversations.

Peter Marshall enthusiastically encouraged people to know God not by growing in intellectual knowledge but by intimate familiarity with Him. Just as contemporary philosopher Dallas Willard contended decades later in his book Hearing God: "Spiritual people are not those who engage in certain spiritual practices; they are those who draw their life from a conversational relationship with God."

When speaking of his role models, Peter Marshall always pointed to those who were personally acquainted with God from centuries earlier: George Müller of Bristol, Dr. George Washington Carver, Thomas à Kempis, to name a few. He referred to their letters, journals, and biographies. His mentors in the faith inspired him with their detailed, written records of how God dealt with them-when and where God talked to them, publicly professing what they believed God said when He talked to them.

Peter Marshall encouraged not only leaders but everyone to talk to God about everything. "Just be honest with God," he challenged the collegians, congressmen, and members of his congregation to whom he spoke. "Just listen to God," he invited. His public prayers perfectly presented the way to God: "We confess before Thee that our ears are often deaf to the whisper of Thy call, our eyes often blind to the signs of Thy guidance. Make us willing to be changed, even though it requires surgery of the soul and the therapy of discipline."

God talks to those who humbly bring themselves before Him -- young or old -- to hear Him speak.

Why do we complicate what is so simple?

What do you lose by listening to the God who loves and

lives today, who created man and moon, and who wants to talk to you?