Do you want to become a woman who hears that still small voice and recognize that it is God’s? If so, keep reading…
Fourteen exhausted, sweaty teenage boys plopped down on the bottom step of the gymnasium bleachers—my son being one of them. The assistant Junior Varsity basketball coach paced back and forth, lecturing them on the error of their ways. In the style of Sergeant Carter addressing Gomer Pyle, he yelled, “Who’s talking?”
The boys, in practiced unison shouted back, “You are, sir!”
“OK then, listen up!” he barked.
For the next twenty minutes, they did just that.
Unfortunately for the merry band of athletes, school is not simply a place where sports are played, but also an institution for academic advancement. The next day it was time to see just how much advancement had taken place in the first four months of school via the dreaded semester exams.
Six of the basketball players sat nervously with their peers on the edge of their seats. Each grasped pencils in hand, ready to attack the twenty-page social studies test. Apparently, someone broke the total silence code with a whisper. The six-foot-five, two-hundred-and-fifty-pound teacher jumped to attention and yelled, “Who’s talking?”
Automatically, without even thinking, Chris, one of the basketball teammates, shot back, “You are, sir!”
The high school freshman social studies class erupted with laughter. The teacher did not.
“So, you want to be smart, do you?” Mr. Thompson asked. “Who else in here wants to be smart?”
More than half of the class (mostly boys overcome with mischief, my son included) raised their hands. “I want to be smart,” they answered back.
After school detention was crowded that week.
It was an innocent mistake—an automatic response—a reflex reaction. But it made Chris a hero for the day among his buddies. And in a way, he was my hero as well.
All through the Bible, God tells us to listen to Him. In the Old Testament, Isaiah penned, “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left” (Isaiah 30:21 NLT).
In the New Testament, Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27 ESV). And another translation of that verse says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (NIV).
When Moses saw a burning bush in the desert that was not being consumed, he turned aside, stopped what he was doing, and went to investigate. The Bible says, “When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ And Moses said, ‘Here I am’” (Exodus 3:4 NIV)
Ah, there’s the key. Moses turned aside; God had his full attention. Could it be that we become so wrapped up in our daily activities and to-do lists that we don’t take the time to turn aside when God speaks?
Could it be we have grown unaccustomed to listening or unbelieving that He will speak at all? I wonder how many burning bushes I’ve missed in my own backyard.
I’ve learned burning bushes are noticed by people who pause.
Who’s talking? You are, LORD!
The Bible is also packed with stories about people not listening to God and the fallout that followed. Jeremiah wrote: “Yet they did not listen or pay attention; they were stiff-necked and would not listen or respond to discipline” (Jeremiah 17:23 NIV).
“And though the LORD has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention” (Jeremiah 25:4 NIV).
“But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me” (Jeremiah 35:14).
Those words give me chills. I don’t want to be that person.
On the other hand, God promises, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known (Jeremiah 33:3).
I do want to be that person. I think you do too.
Listening to God turns ordinary moments into sacred moments. Divine whispers often arrive in the middle of dusty days and daily duties.
So maybe Chris’s automatic response to the teacher wasn’t such a bad thing after all. When God speaks, let’s be ready to listen. Let’s become women who listen to God’s voice through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, nature, other people, and the circumstance in our lives. Then we will have moments of sudden glory when God makes His presence known right in the middle of our busy days.
Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening. Help me to recognize Your gentle nudges and Your still small voice in this noisy world. I want to be a woman who hears You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What is one way that God seems to speak to you the most? Leave a comment and let’s share. I’ll go first…nature.
Digging Deeper
Do you find yourself longing to hear God’s voice – not as a once-in-a-lifetime experience but on a daily basis? Do you have a desire to see His fingerprints on the pages of your busy everyday life?
When I pore over the pages of Scripture, I discover that some of God’s most memorable messages were not delivered while men and women were away on a spiritual retreat but right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of everyday life. He spoke to Moses while he was tending sheep, to Gideon while he was threshing wheat, to the woman at the well while she was drawing water for her housework. It is not a matter of does He speak, but will we listen.”
Get your copy of Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God and start recognizing the gentle whisper as you move about your busy day.
Comments 54
Beautiful!
I agree I love nature and the sounds that are all around us if we just stop and listen. The birds singing when I go on my back deck early upon rising to say Good morning to the Lord!
The sound of the ocean, when the waves crash onto the shore(my favorite)
God is everywhere and in everything!
Thank you God!
I believe the Lord speaks to me the most through prayer and quiet time.
Psalm 34:4-“I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”
In dreams!
Scripture and little amazing things that happen that I alone would notice.
God speaks to me through the words to songs based on His words and teachings.
His Word
Devotions like yours
Closed doors and open windows
Nature as well. The leaves, trees, flowers, birds and squirrels, all working together in complete harmony
so that humans can live and breath and serve God!
God speaks to me through music.
God speaks to me through my animals and the unconditional love they offer me.
God speaks to me in his word.
In music and in nature!
I believe God speaks to me through impressing something on me, an idea, a thought, etc.
Sharon I enjoy your devotionals so much! This one as well, and I think I know what you are saying. However, it compels me to say a bit more than will be popular I realize. I believe it is important to understand the difference between times prior to having the written word (hearing God speak aloud), and times now. In nature, I too, hear and see God reinforcing what He says of Himself in scripture. While we know the Bible is complete in what God has for us (2 Tim. 3:16-17), it is wonderful indeed, to hear it said over and over in the mighty creation of His hands, as well as those rich moments some have called “God winks”. I do have to be careful though, when tickling my toes in the edge of the water, that I don’t get in over my head; that is to say, we ought not to begin hearing things that contradict His inspired word. And I know you wouldn’t, but some may be weaker in faith, and ‘hear’ more than you intend. Just a thought. Thank you again for your beautiful writing.
Helen God speaks to me when I read 📚 the Bible to keep trusting in Him no matter what goes on around me. .
In the thunder and the rain!! The powerful storms that come our way here in NC. Watching the seasons change is a downright miracle!!!
That’s God whispering and getting our attention.
Author
I’m in NC too and I know exactly what you means. Happened just this weekend!
Author
Amen sister!
Worship music❤️
Author
Me too. I seem to get hooked on a single song for several days.
In worship songs looking up in the clouds and when the suns reflection
God speaks to me in the incredible show of thunder storms! Power and might.
Author
I love watching strong storms at the beach. Rolling waves. Mighty thunder.
Sharon,
I love your devotions. it has encouraged and build me up.
God speaks to me through his creation.
Author
Thank you sweet friend.
Worship music
Reading the right verse or chapter at just the right time
To be honest, I struggle to hear Him most times, but I know He hears me. There’s been one time in my life where I called on Him and He immediately answered me. There was no other explanation and it was critical. Whether I hear Him or not, I know He hears me and that’s what keeps me straining to listen.
Author
Yes He does.
God Speaks to me thru His awesome nature. I have an Angel Trumpet plant that is just beautiful, crafted by the mighty hand of the Father. If you know anything about this plant, it is amazing and to see God’s handiwork in these flowers is so breath taking. You see every night at sunset these flowers bloom. If you take the time to watch these flowers open and see how God in His infinite power causes these flowers to open slowly into a beautiful white trumpet shape flower. Just like our lives, we don’t open instantly into what God would have us to be. It takes time and patience and Work on our part to allow the Father to work his miracles in our lives, to get to the point that we are what God intends for us to be. I know He is still working on me, to get me there. And He will continue till the day God calls us home to work in our lives, because He is getting us ready for our Heavenly Home. I lost my Husband he was 73, February 09, 2026, just 5 months ago what a blow that was in my life, but God has been right there with me, and I know that one day soon we will be united together in Heaven with all the Saints and Angels, we will all bow before throne of King Jesus. what a Day Glorious Day that will be. So, keep listening and looking for that day. I know I am.
Author
I’m so sorry Bessie. I pray God will continue to give you glimpses of heaven to fill that empty space left until you see him again.
Thank you, Sharon!
The Holy Spirit whispers prompts as what to do for others. And, hopefully, I listen! Often, repeated prompts.
So thankful for that.
Author
Me too. Just the other day I felt God prompting to leave something special for a waitress. I think it blessed me more than it did her.
God often speaks to me through music.
Author
Me too.
I agree with Lisa “ I believe God speaks to me through impressing something on me, an idea, a thought, etc.”
It is usually when I just wake up or when I am awake in the middle of the night.
When I start worrying lately, the song , “Turn your eyes upon Jesus” starts playing in my head.
Author
I love that song. “Look full in His wonderful face.” Won’t it be amazing when we can actually do that in heaven?
In the shower! Haha! I think it is the only quiet time I get where I can listen, be still, and meditate on His word.
Author
That is too funny, but I get it! He’s cleaning you up inside and out 🙂
God speaks through His word, also through music.
Author
The Word is the most important!
God speaks to me through dreams
Author
Awesome!
My Sheep hear my voice… so encouraging reading and reminder to allow myself to pause and lissten during the day. Even one word like Hello can speak life into a person when we are available vessels like I experienced once when my friend said Hello to me and I felt Gods power fill me with joy released through her voice. It was so amazing 💖
Author
Yes it can.
Here it is again. Lately I have read, in this the fifth place, that ofttimes, other things have to happen before a prayer will be answered. Any prayer. I have long known God has a different clock than I do. Any old story of a young (we’ll make it a woman for this group) was walking and talking to God. Just a chat, nothing serious.
“Lord, what’s it like for You?”
‘What do you mean, my daughter?”
‘Well, We worry about time and money. What’s time like for You?
“Well, daughter, for me it would be barely a second, but for you, it would, it would be millions of years.”
‘Oh, Wow! How would that work with money?’
“Again, beloved child, for me, a simple penny, would be for you a billion dollars.”
“Whoa!”
After a moment of quiet, she asks, ‘God?”
“Yes, daughter,”
Would you give me a penny?”
“In a minute, my child.”
And so I wait, at least I have Someone to talk to while I do
Author
That is precious. Thank you for sharing.
I live in the country and love bike riding on back country roads with less cars and more farms, horse and buggies and wide open nature. The sky, the sounds, the smells, the rolling fields, peace and quiet. I feel God ideas and nudges. ❤️
Author
I live a bit out of town too. Love it.
This was wonderful! He speaks to many different ways, which I appreciate as I can get bored easily. Through nature, reading His Word, journaling, nudges from the Holy Spirit, worship music, Christian podcasts and newsletters. My favorite is when He repeats a theme through different avenues all within a 1 week period or so. Like “Deanna, you really need to work on being less selfish in this area.” Then that same message is in my pastors message, a random newsletter, the Bible study I haven’t touched in 3 months and decided to pick back up…that’s when I know He’s really hammering home a point.
Author
That is awesome!
Sorry for the double comment…this is one of those times I mention in my previous comment! I just read this and then opened a Newsletter from 2 days ago…the theme??!! Hearing God’ Voice. Guess He’s really trying to tell me something. <3
Author
I love double comments:)
Whenever I’m outside, in the woods, at the ocean or any body of water. Driving and coming upon a beautiful seen of mountains or blue cloudy sky’s and red barns. I walk some mornings and there is a parking lot of a club on our street. When I turn into the long driveway it’s instantly peaceful, all nature, birds chirping. The sun shines in a certain spot and I always stop and turn to let it shine on my face and always feel it’s God shining in me.
Thank you Sharon for your support in your devotional writing this week. I hear GOD speaking to me through music. Not sure if you have heard of Marilla Ness, she is a spiritual singer she lives in England. I am proud to say I was at school with her and sang in the same choir. Her singing is so beautiful. She went on to open her own business in spiritual worship through making CD’s and speaking through the word of God, like you do
I have her music and often listen to her in so much as when I cannot sleep her songs come to me.
Thank you Sharon I felt I had to share this with you.
Blessings Veronica.
God speaks to me through songs and through nature (trees & birds). While driving. He always speaks through the man or woman of God on Sunday mornings.
I’ve spent many hours enjoying the beauty of God’s creation while riding through forests, splashing through streams and marveling at waterfalls I would never have seen if not for riding on the back of one of our magnificent horses. God’s voice came in peaceful whispers during those times. But He also speaks to me through small persistent nudges, thoughts that come out of nowhere that just won’t go away which eventually lead me to take action through His guidance regarding important things that haven’t yet even occurred to me. It is so humbling to know that God does know my name, He does love me unconditionally and He is not only interested but also involved in my daily life. Abba Father I am so thankful that you called me to be yours!
Two years ago I started hiking a local mountain 7-8 miles, 3 times or more each week. It’s a gift that God brought to me and has used it to transform me and teach me. There are rarely any people on the trail and God has used my time to teach me to praise, worship, recite scripture, and pray to Him out loud without distraction or hesitation. He knows when I try do this quietly in my mind, the chaos within my head that cant stay focused on Him, prevents me from truly being in His presence. I cant even express in words what this has done in me and for me. He speaks to me through the wind, out of nowhere, on a calm day, He will wash a gentle breeze down the path in front of me, heading in my direction, and pass right through me, and stop on the other side of me. I know with 100% certainty that is God calling me to pay attention, stop and listen, He has something to say. It is so powerful and I am always restored when I come off that mountain. Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. So that you can test and approve God’s will, His good and pleasing and perfect will.