When God Speaks, Do We Listen?

We hear the stories of God speaking to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, speaking to Noah on how to build an ark, to Moses at the burning bush, and we wonder why God doesn’t speak to us. Or maybe God is speaking, and we are not recognizing it. During the summer months, we will be looking at the ways that God speaks to us today. As we look at eight different ways we can “hear” God, my hope is that we will work to be attentive to these ways as well. As we are heading into a season of fleshing out our Vision and Mission as the Plum Creek Presbyterian Church in this time and place, hearing what God is speaking to each of us and collectively as a church is some of the most important work we can undertake

So let’s look at the first three ways and see if we can incorporate them into our lives during this coming month.

The first way that God speaks to us is through God’s Word. We certainly work with God’s Word as we worship each Sunday. Whether you worship with us in person or online, God’s Word moves us and shapes us as it is read and proclaimed. Each week, we listen to an Old Testament and New Testament reading. But that shouldn’t be the only time we hear from God through God’s Word. If you have never used a daily devotional before, this summer might be a time to try one. There are all kinds that you can find that are themed in ways to be of interest to you. A small piece of scripture each day can be truly inspiring.

The second way to hear God is through God’s Son, Jesus. Hebrews 1:1-2 says “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son,[a] whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.”. Through Jesus’ words and actions, we hear God’s voice and God’s heart. John 10:27 says: “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” We are always leaning into the Way of Jesus when we seek to listen to God.

And the third way to “hear” God is through Nature and God’s Creation. God’s beauty, greatness, intricacy of plan, and grandeur are all on display in nature and creation. We can see the cycles of birth, death, and rebirth in nature. The timelessness of God is on display each and every day. This is where we encounter God, if we only take time to notice, take a walk in nature, plant or grow things during the summer.

Take time this month to dig into these three ways of “hearing” God speak. Maybe even keep a small journal on paper or on your phone about what you “hear”. Next month, we will look at three more ways to listen for God!

Peace and blessings,

Pastor Carolyn

June Caller 2025