I've been included in a number of situations recently where there has been discrepancies between parties about what God's will is. This can be very difficult to discern, particularly in the middle of the hustle and bustle, go-go-go lifestyle virtually everyone leads nowadays.

However, that doesn't mean that God doesn't speak-however, I think we have a misunderstanding about how that works.

First of all, we must look to the Bible and the first and foremost channel for God speaking to his people-look at the hundreds of stories of God speaking with his people-both important people like kings and prophets; and less important people like Hagar, Sarah's servant who Abraham impregnated and gave rise to Ishmael. The Bible is the infallible and eternal Word of God and it is a book of examples, not exceptions. Can you imagine God giving us a book whose message was "this is how I used to relate to my people, but that is not available to you?" No, that's not how God works and it's ridiculous.

Secondly is the actual discernment of God's will-and this is a tough one because we must get past the distractions, the self-talk, and learn to quiet our hearts and minds to hear God's voice. There are many examples of God speaking in different ways in the Bible-the booming affirmation of Jesus immediately following his baptism, visions/dreams, but in my experience, what I've found most often is a "still, small voice," much like Elijah experienced outside his cave. Even more accurate is a movement of my heart, an impression, a thought out of nowhere. And even then, it must be tested-against the Bible. Does it go against God's word? If not, then is it something God would say? If it's demeaning, insulting, or has a negative connotation, then it's not from God-he just doesn't deal like that. Can you imagine God calling you, "stupid," or "idiot?" No, that's not a loving God at all! Next is to "try on the answer." Ask God if what you heard was correct.

An interesting concept to try and wrap your mind around is that God's will must be subject to our own. What I mean by that is simply that God's will cannot be exercised in our lives (generally speaking) unless we submit to it-otherwise, there would be no free will. Now, I know there are stories of God working in people's lives even when they didn't want it and I can't explain that other than God absolutely needed that person to do something in that moment, but those are questions for God when we get to heaven-it is not our place to question his perfect wisdom...but we do anyway, don't we? It's all part of the journey...and what makes the journey worth going on.

Thoughts and comments...?