Listen—The Creator Speaks

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Reflections

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Posted On August 27, 2016

God communicates with us in a smorgasbord of ways.

Sometimes we hear an inner voice leading, guiding, and nudging us. Over time we learn to trust that voice as that of the Holy Spirit. It’s tone and tenor becomes familiar. We begin to recognize it when we hear it, like we do the voice of a loved one.

Sometimes the Creator speaks to us through nature.

Have you ever been awed by the beauty of a hawk circling overhead, noticing its strength and majesty?

Has your dog or cat ever nuzzled up to you, plopped its warm coat of fur on your feet or lap, and you sensed their unconditional love?

How about a chipmunk or squirrel scurrying across your porch inviting you to laugh at their playfulness?

The Native Americans teach that every animal has a unique spirit woven into them by the Creator. God’s creatures are brought into our lives from time to time to affirm that animal’s spirit within us or to nudge us to strive to develop the animal’s virtue or charism.

God also speaks to us through our dreams. When we’re sleeping our active mind is quiet freeing our subconscious mind to express itself. The images and experiences we encounter during our sleep often contain metaphors or hints of wisdom that God’s sharing with us.

We can connect with the wisdom in our dreams by sitting in the Quiet upon waking and asking God, what he might be saying to you through the dream. What words or symbols is he using to invite you to grow, or lead and guide you on your journey? Our dreams then become a Lectio Divina (divine reading) that inspire and guide us.

We also experience God through other people. Family, friends and loved ones often provide us with wise counsel to help us discover the path for our life.

A spiritual mentor, someone trained in the skill of discernment, is also a way we can learn to hear God’s wisdom. Sitting once a month for an hour with a spiritual guide helps us determine the movement of God in our lives and our response to his invitations.

The Creator has many ways of speaking in, through, and to us. The path is always there for us to hear him. As co-creators with God, our task is to notice, listen, and respond.
—brian j plachta

If you want to dive deeper in your spiritual journey, check out these resources:

How Can I Hear God?
http://www.beliefnet.com/prayables/theme-galleries/how-can-i-hear-god.aspx?.

The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals
http://jamiesamsbooks.com/medicinecards.cfm.

Dreams: God’s Forgotten Language
https://www.amazon.com/dp/006067055X/ref=rdr_ext_tmb

What’s Spiritual Mentoring?
http://www.brianplachta.com/contact

Written by Brian J. Plachta

Following the Breadcrumbs God Leaves Along Our Path

What if God is speaking through ordinary moments more often than we realize?

A conversation that stays with us. A door that closes. A quiet nudge we can’t quite explain. An unexpected invitation that seems to come at just the right time.

The challenge is learning to notice these moments before we have any idea where they’re leading, and trusting the next step.

Over time, we may begin to see that God’s guidance doesn’t always come as an answer. Sometimes, it comes as a trail.

What to Do When God Seems Silent

Has silence ever made you feel like God is far away? When we feel this way, it’s easy to start looking for answers or waiting for a clear sign. But prayer can also be as simple as slowing down and noticing what’s already here. The breeze. The waves. Your breath. The quiet. God’s presence doesn’t always come through words. Sometimes we just need to be still enough to notice.

Let God Alone Define You

Ever have someone’s words get stuck in your head?
Maybe they criticized you, misunderstood you, or told a story about you that doesn’t feel true. And before long, you’re holding a courtroom in your mind—defending yourself, replaying the conversation, wondering if maybe they’re right.

There’s another way.

Bring it into the quiet with God.

Ask: Is there something here I need to learn? Is there something I need to own? And what was never mine to carry in the first place?

We can stay humble enough to receive the truth without letting someone else’s opinion become our identity.

Because in the end, God alone defines you.

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