A voice in the wilderness: God speaking

News | December 23, 2018

Have you ever heard a love song
That set your spirit free
Have you ever watched a sunrise
And felt you could not breathe
What if it’s Him
What if it’s God speaking
– Mandisa, “God Speaking”

For as long as I can remember, God has spoken to me through nature and music. Nothing fills my heart with more joy than praise and worship, and nothing fills me with more awe than the beautiful and intricate design of our world.

From the complex network of veins and chemical processes that allow plants to pull water and nutrients from the soil, to the top of a 100-foot tree that makes energy out of sunlight and carbon dioxide, leave me wondering how anyone could believe it to be an act of random chance.

I see evidence of God’s glory and hear God’s voice in every leaf, rock, and creature. But not every wilderness is filled with trees. We call major cities “Urban Jungles” for a reason. Unlike the peace and tranquility of a forest, however, our modern day wilderness is filled with noise and distractions; distractions that can prevent us from hearing the voice of God or even knowing how to listen anymore.

Ours is a clever and determined God though, who promises to meet us where we are, and does. God can be found in all places and all situations, even in the lonely wilderness of our minds as we face depression, fear, and uncertainty.

In the Bible, God spoke to people in many ways, as a blazing bush to Moses, but also as a still small voice to Elijah. God is adaptable in how God communicates with us, and so we must be adaptable in where and how we listen. Those who seek will find, and those who listen will hear.

For me it is in the wonder of this world and the beauty of a heartfelt song. Listen and find the places where God meets you. Then, seek them out, and find comfort in God’s voice.

Jennifer Vanaria is a veterinarian in Milan. She is married to her husband Rob, and loves her fur kids, singing, and baking.

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