Post #1: Listening for God's Voice
April 28, 2026
Elective Surgery
I sporadically keep a journal. Here is my entry from last September 2025, written 9 days after my 61st birthday:
Sept. 22, 2025 (Journal Entry)
There has been a shift in my life slowly coming for a while. I find myself much stronger in my faith and closer to the Lord than ever before. For the first time in my life, my plate is not full of things to do; it is full of family. It occurred to me yesterday that God might be preparing me for something. Something to come. Something to do for Him. I don’t know what it is, but I know He is doing a thing as He always does.
This sentiment had been on my mind for some time. I had been praying for Him to speak to me, to tell me what I was supposed to do next. I prayed often Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
What is God calling me to do now? What things has he woven together in my life that will culminate in my obedience to Him now? My plate is clean. My heart is full. I seek Him daily. Now what?
I remember a moment a thought entered my mind that I dared not utter aloud, a wondering if the some-thing were to be a bad thing. Something that would need my time and attention. I DO NOT believe God makes bad things happen; He only uses them for the good. Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Turns out, that thought I managed to squeeze out of my head, was actually happening. My body already had the cancer cells growing. We never know what’s just around the corner or under the surface. But we can be ready for whatever that is, if we know Him.
Fast forward a few months and something kept gnawing at me to get my ovaries removed. I know what you are thinking . . . Who walks around thinking about her ovaries? I always had it in the back of my mind but those thoughts had become more prevalent, so I had a talk with my doctor who agreed to take them out despite the fact that there was no real reason, no symptoms. We discovered during the surgery that they were indeed bad. Praise the Lord they were out – regardless of the stage. Had I not listened to the nudging, they would still be in me getting worse.
Six days later, still waiting for the pathology report, I went to the Prayer Chapel at my church. It is a tiny little room off the side of the sanctuary that is open 24/7 for people to come and pray. It holds few short pews, a kneeling alter, and a big brass cross next to a really large King James Bible. I had made the trip to this prayer room several times before when I was in serious need – when my mom got sick, when Johnny got sick. When I go, I usually go to that big ole Bible and search for a relative verse. Really, I ask for it and He provides. This time was no different. I started on my knees thanking Him for the nudge to have the surgery. Then I approached the Bible that was sitting open to somewhere in Ezekiel. I wanted a New Testament verse so I pinched some pages with my right hand and flipped them over randomly to the left. The pages opened to John Chapter 7. I put my hand on the right side of the opened book and when I slid it out of the way, He revealed to me verse 38.
"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."
That was Jesus speaking directly to me. The Lord gave me a verse about “the belly” which translates in the original Greek “koilia” as womb. Ancient Greek writers used this word metaphorically to represent a person’s innermost being, heart, soul, or the deepest seat of human emotions. Most likely, your more modern version of the Bible uses the words “from within him” or “inner most being.” But what he gave me that glorious day alone in that chapel was the word BELLY! It was just what I needed. It was His voice speaking to me loud and clear. RIVERS OF LIVING WATER! Praise the Lord!
LESSONS I'VE LEARNED
God speaks to us in many ways. We just have to do our part in the listening.
Throughout the Bible, God communicates in many forms. Moses heard his audible voice. Joseph dreamed prophetic dreams. Isaiah saw visions while he was awake. Mary was visited by an angel. God spoke through the prophets. Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit. A star led the Magi to Jesus. God revealed himself through a burning bush and a pillar of fire. And Elijah encountered God in the form of a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-13).
How many times have I thought, I wish He would just write me a letter. Guess what, he did. The entire Bible is his love letter to each of us. It is our story within His story. He gives us calling and purpose and instruction and wisdom just as Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” God’s written word is our primary source for hearing His voice.
Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16 that “all Scripture is God-breathed.” What a wonderful gift!
Today we can rest assured that His word is Truth. The Holy Spirit still guides our inner being. Through prayer and simply being still with him, we receive his peace. He speaks to us through the guidance of mature Christians in our lives, and he speaks to us through his magnificent creation.
Sometimes you just have to be. To be in the Word. To be in prayer. To be in fellowship with other believers. To be still and know that He is God. To be seeking Him always. It is in seeking Him that he will answer. James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
PRAYER
Lord, we thank you that in ALL things that happen in our lives you work for the good of those who love you. Thank you for calling us according to your purpose. We may we hear your voice and feel your presence as we seek you daily. Thank you, Father, that your Word lights our path. Give us the discipline and desire to be in it every day. Help us to be still and know that you are our God. We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.
