Shop
About
Posts
Joycast
Booking
Speaking
Write Brilliant
Contact

How Do You Hear From God? … And a Crazy Story

by | 60 comments

What do you do when you sense God nudging you to action… and you know it sounds crazypants?

That’s why I struggled the first time I met Patton Dodd.

We talked about faith and writing until the cushions of the wingback chair almost swallowed him. When we got up to leave, I felt a sudden impetuous impulse, a surge of energy I could only attribute to something outside myself to give something to Patton.

Like most metropolitan cities, downtown Denver is full of homeless men and women on almost every block. Rather than hand out cash, which can be used for less-than-stellar purchases, I stock up on McDonald’s gift card—hoping the recipient will enjoy a hot coffee or meal.

I said good bye, but all my thoughts centered on the five McDonald’s dollars crammed in my pocket.

I felt a soul-penetrating urge, Give them to him.

The only thing stronger than the impulse to hand them over was the anxiety of handing them over.

I had more than a hunch that the impetus was from God, but my mind ping-ponged with self-doubt.

This was the first time meeting Patton. I wanted to make a good impression. The last thing I wanted was to come off like a fruit loop. Handing out meager faux money never ranked in the top ten ways to make friends and influence people.

What would Patton think if I gave? What would God think if I didn’t give? The tug-of-war raged as we said goodbye.

As he turned away, I said Patton’s name with of urgency, “Wait, you’re going to need these later.”

“Uh, okay,” he said and disappeared.

What was that?

Where did the impulse to give away the dollars come from? One could blame that rascally clown Ronald McDonald, or my imagination, or was that a nudge from God?

The fiery impetus to give a powerful, compelling urge that echoed deep in my mind, my soul, my spirit.

The impulse felt familiar. I recognized the sacred echo as an unexplainable desire to do something, say something or give something away from the past.

In line with God’s character, the impulse went against my selfish, prideful tendencies. The action required humility and a sturdy trust that was God was up to something good. 

I suspect God was at work and I was simply invited to join the party. Maybe God wanted to do something in my life. Maybe he wanted to do something in Patton’s life. Maybe the moment was about someone on the streets who I’ve never seen or met. What happened? What was the result of my obedience?

When it comes to recognizing and responding to the sacred echo in our lives, all too often we never find out what Paul Harvey describes as “the rest of the story.

I know that in my own life I’ve been on the receiving end of other people’s impulses of generosity and kindness—each one a testimony of the beauty that emanates when we respond to God’s presence.

I wish I could tell you that you’ll never encounter the mishaps of mishearing. But. That. Is. Not. True.

If I could hear from God on my terms, His voice would be audible, robust and clear. I’d never move without a certificate of 100 percent occupancy and accuracy of God’s presence and voice.

But then faith would be an afterthought.

Even the disciples were not immune from the mishaps of mishearing. In John 21:22-23, Jesus addresses Peter, “‘If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!’”

John explains, “Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, ‘If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?’”

The disciples misunderstood Christ. They listened. They heard the syllables of Jesus set sail from his lips yet, as the news spread, those original followers still misunderstood. John even ends his Gospel with this story as a holy exclamation point. This reminds us:

Those who follow Christ will fumble forward in Christ.

That’s not something to run from but run towards with all our might.

If the disciples made such a blunder after three years of hands-on, face-to-face time ministry with the Son of God, how much more will you and I?

And if they still discovered God’s grace and gentle correction in the process, then how much more hope is there for you and me?

In the past, I listened for God’s voice as if I was taking a hearing test, hoping my ears were sensitive to identify the lowest and highest frequencies.

Now I take a different approach to hearing from God and learning to respond.

I imagine myself as toddler learning to speak. Like parents who celebrate their child’s first word, even when it’s a jumbled version of “mum,” “dad,” or “no,” God lauds our efforts to communicate with him.

Eyes always on His children, God must laugh at some of our more spectacular misunderstandings and mishaps. Like the evening I lit the barbecue, singed my eyebrows and laughed so hard I peed my pants, God often laughs with us. Other times he gently but firmly corrects our misguided steps.

God knows our understanding sometimes gets bent in translation.

Whenever I think I’m hearing from God, I pray for discernment, then examine the fruit:

Does what I think I heard line up with scripture? This is the first and foremost question to ask. If what you heard doesn’t line up with Scripture, chuck it far, far out back.

Does what I think I heard line up with the work God is already doing in my life? The work of the Holy Spirit sometimes looks like rabbit tracks in the snow. When you squint, you might be surprised at how God has been leading you toward this.

Does what I think I heard nurture the fruits of the Spirit in my life? Consider how you will grow in the character of God as you respond.

Does what I think I heard invite me to grow in my faith, maturity and my relationship with God? Everything God speaks will call you to love Him and other more. In obedience, you should look more Christ-like.

Does what I think I heard increase my dependence on God? Often God echoes in our life to draw us closer to Himself.

Remember that fruit reveals its source.

If you respond to something you feel is from God, what is the fruit? Will responding in obedience to the thought, result in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control sprouting or wilting in your life? How will your response make you more Christ-like?

My hope and prayer for you today is that you will be sensitive to the sacred echoes in your life and recognize that God wants to speak to you and lead you deeper in prayer and service to others.

If you’d like to know more about The Sacred Echo 6-session DVD Bible study and help your ministry, small group, or Bible study grow a vibrant prayer life, click here.

 

60 Comments

  1. Jenny
    Jenny on August 21, 2017 at 5:18 am

    Sorry…u didn’t mention if Patton used that McDonald card ?…did he & for what? Curious…
    S.t’s I go against a nudge…feeling like what if…& what will t/person I’m handing it to…will feel…?

  2. Don Pahl
    Don Pahl on August 21, 2017 at 7:20 am

    You’re going against the proverbial grain, Margaret. We want answers. We need formulas. We crave fixed, mathematical rules for living this Christian life. But the Christian life, i.e. faith, suffocates within established rules and ruts. Take prayer, Margaret, as you did, for instance. Prayer reflects relationship, not rules, not pat answers for getting answers. The faith journey glides on breezes and bounces off boulders, both reflecting the reality of prayer. Your reflective questions provide markers, a strategy for the struggle. I have become increasingly weary of pat answers to the mysteries of my walk with God. Thank you, Margaret, for focusing on the journey, on the relationship, on the walk of humble mystery and glad submission.

  3. Steve Brock
    Steve Brock on August 21, 2017 at 1:31 pm

    Great post, Margaret. I know but often forget your criteria at the end, so that was a great reminder. But mostly, what a wonderful image, to imagine ourselves as toddlers learning to speak. And to think of God as the loving parent who appreciates just the effort. Too often, that feels like all I have to give. But as you note, maybe that’s enough. So very helpful. Thanks for this and all your ongoing insights and encouragement.

  4. Janell Urban
    Janell Urban on August 22, 2017 at 7:02 am

    Thank you for simple solutions to something I wanted to explain to others but could not put into words. My seeds of doubt kept me from attempting to even try. As a believer, to read your words and have an aha….thats exactly how it is plus your questions to ask yourself are PRICELESS! Thank you for your inspiration.

  5. Bill Stoughton
    Bill Stoughton on August 22, 2017 at 4:15 pm

    What really is meant by walking in faith? I know that we are saved by faith, but walking in faith. I recently had an encounter with Jehovah’s witnesses for a Bible study and to me it was the most empty that I have ever felt in my life. No prayer to start and the study was more like Bible bashing and not feeding me spiritually. It was the worse experience in my walk with God. Even though they call themselves Christians, I feel like they are not. Please help me to get back on track.

  6. Topaze Thomas
    Topaze Thomas on August 23, 2017 at 11:47 am

    God has a way of giving me answers or confirmation before I need it, then take me back to it at the appropriate time.
    Yesterday this email hit my inbox and I was too busy to read it. This morning, I found myself thanking God for listening to Him and following His directions on how to live instead of listening to everyone else even though they mean good. I had to thank Him because I realized that the way He told me to go was best; and had I followed most of my dearest friends and family, I would be in a bind with no one but God to help me.
    Then, this afternoon I got the opportunity to read this article. I am grateful for the confirmation He sent me in this article yesterday but led me to it today because He knew that today is when it would really drive home. What an amazing God we serve!

  7. Woodie Williams
    Woodie Williams on August 28, 2017 at 9:19 am

    Bill,
    We are saved when in response to the drawing of the Holy Spirit we place our faith in Jesus as Savior (John 3:16). At that time the Holy Spirit comes to live in us (Ephesians 1:13-14, Galatians 3:2, Romans 8:11). Salvation is totally by faith in what Jesus did for us and not by our own good works or following a list of rules that we might undertake in order to make ourselves acceptable to God. Likewise, after we are saved, we continue (walk) through life by responding to the leading of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14) and the Bible (2 Tim 3:16-17). So it’s vital to study the Bible and pray. Ask God for understanding and how His written word can be applied to your life. We were meant to live the Christian life with the support and fellowship other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25, Proverbs 27:17). My suggestion is that you look for a Bible-believing church (for example, Bible churches and Baptist churches) that includes smaller groups within it where you can grow along with others to be more like Jesus in character and in how you interact with others. Look for a church where the pastor is genuine and seems to love his people. Consult a church’s website or otherwise obtain a statement of beliefs to be sure they are in agreement with scripture. Remember to ask God to lead you in your search.

    Regarding the Jehovah’s Witnesses, they are not Christian. They are a cult that denies Jesus is God (Compare John 1:1 in their translation with mainstream translations such as New American Standard) as well as many other significant Biblical teachings.

  8. Margaret
    Margaret on September 15, 2017 at 3:53 pm

    I find the relationship and journey far more beautiful than final answers. Thank you for sharing your insight. Hugs!

  9. Margaret
    Margaret on September 15, 2017 at 3:54 pm

    Thank you for the kind words, Steve! Blessings!

  10. Margaret
    Margaret on September 15, 2017 at 4:08 pm

    So pleased I could offer new insight! Hugs!

  11. Margaret
    Margaret on September 15, 2017 at 4:11 pm

    God is so amazing! Thank you for sharing, Topaze! Hugs!

  12. JeromeLix
    JeromeLix on March 21, 2025 at 4:53 pm

    alo789 dang nh?p: alo 789 – alo 789

  20. Jamesgaf
    Jamesgaf on March 24, 2025 at 3:28 pm

    mexican drug stores online: MexicanPharmInter – mexican pharmacy online store

  33. Williamheirl
    Williamheirl on March 26, 2025 at 2:39 am

    Cialis 20mg price in USA: TadalafilEasyBuy.com – cialis without a doctor prescription

  34. GregoryVar
    GregoryVar on March 26, 2025 at 5:14 am

    KamagraKopen.pro: Kamagra Kopen Online – kamagra 100mg kopen

  35. Dwaynejures
    Dwaynejures on March 26, 2025 at 6:48 am

    cialis without a doctor prescription Tadalafil Easy Buy TadalafilEasyBuy.com

  37. Williamheirl
    Williamheirl on March 26, 2025 at 9:48 am

    kamagra 100mg kopen: KamagraKopen.pro – kamagra jelly kopen

  38. GregoryVar
    GregoryVar on March 26, 2025 at 11:13 am

    Generic100mgEasy: Generic 100mg Easy – sildenafil 50 mg price

  41. Williamheirl
    Williamheirl on March 26, 2025 at 5:02 pm

    Cialis 20mg price in USA: Buy Cialis online – Buy Tadalafil 10mg

  42. GregoryVar
    GregoryVar on March 26, 2025 at 5:15 pm

    Tadalafil Easy Buy: TadalafilEasyBuy.com – cialis without a doctor prescription

  46. Dwaynejures
    Dwaynejures on March 27, 2025 at 3:07 am

    TadalafilEasyBuy.com TadalafilEasyBuy.com cialis without a doctor prescription

  49. GregoryVar
    GregoryVar on March 27, 2025 at 7:55 am

    cialis without a doctor prescription: Tadalafil Easy Buy – TadalafilEasyBuy.com

  51. Williamheirl
    Williamheirl on March 27, 2025 at 12:00 pm

    Generic 100mg Easy: Generic 100mg Easy – buy generic 100mg viagra online

  53. GregoryVar
    GregoryVar on March 27, 2025 at 3:14 pm

    kamagra pillen kopen: Kamagra Kopen – kamagra pillen kopen

  54. Williamheirl
    Williamheirl on March 27, 2025 at 5:24 pm

    Kamagra Kopen: kamagra jelly kopen – Kamagra Kopen

  58. Dwaynejures
    Dwaynejures on March 28, 2025 at 2:21 am

    Generic100mgEasy Generic 100mg Easy Generic 100mg Easy

  59. Williamheirl
    Williamheirl on March 28, 2025 at 4:11 am

    buy generic 100mg viagra online: Generic100mgEasy – Generic100mgEasy

  60. GregoryVar
    GregoryVar on March 28, 2025 at 5:30 am

    TadalafilEasyBuy.com: Tadalafil Easy Buy – cialis without a doctor prescription

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *