Tips 1-3

Tips 1-3 #1—God speaks through the life and teachings of Jesus. Hebrews 1:1-3 reads, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word . . .” The life and teachings of Jesus offer the best insight into who God is and how God works. But as we read about Jesus—what he did and what he taught—we probably won’t find an exact answer to the questions we are facing. For example, if you need to hear from God about whether or not to date or marry a certain person, Jesus probably never said your name followed by, “I want you to date that guy or gal.” At least that phrase isn’t in my Bible. But Jesus does talk a lot about what his followers look like, and how they should treat one another. Does the person you’re interested in reflect those qualities (like self-sacrificial love)? Just because Jesus didn’t say it, doesn’t mean he isn’t saying it. #2—God speaks through creation. Romans 1:20 reads, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” All of creation—humans, animals, sunsets, gardens, forests, oceans, rivers—is a megaphone for one of the coolest ways God speaks to us. Most of God’s creation doesn’t use words (except for that one time God used a donkey to get Balaam’s attention), but it’s amazing how rolling ocean waves can remind you of God’s peace. One time I was waiting for a job offer and happened to also be visiting my in-laws at the beach. As I was standing there, these lyrics began to move through my mind: “Let the waves of God’s peace roll over me, moving me from where I am to where I need to be.” A sunrise can bring hope of a morning you never thought you’d see. A moving tree can strengthen your faith as it reminds you that just because you can’t see something like wind, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. And just because we can’t see God, doesn’t mean he’s not there. God’s creation may not tell you what to do, but it can encourage, comfort, and inspire you along the way. #3—God speaks through culture. Acts 17:27-28 reads, “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” In a speech to people in Athens who didn’t know God, Paul quoted a poet from Athens. Today, when we need to hear from God, he can even use movies, music, art, poetry, books, and other cultural messages and icons to nudge us along toward his direction for our lives. It’s probably not wise to make a big decision based only on cultural messages, but if something we see or hear fits with what God is saying in some of these other areas (i.e. Scripture, prayer, etc…), culture can be a tool God uses to direct us. In my story about Romania, I mentioned a song that came on the radio. The song was about loving and caring for an orphan who needed to know she was loved. I remember feeling like the artist might as well have sung, “Daniel, go to Romania.” God can use culture to confirm what we think he may be saying.