Growing up I somehow had this sense that if an adult whispered, I needed to
really listen. And if they shouted, I backed away. It seems rather intuitive when I think about it. A quiet voice can hold power that a loud voice loses. The louder we shout, often the less people listen.
Why is it then, that I find myself thinking that I wish God was more loud and clear. Loud people get compliance through fear. Whispering brings a sense of power through listening, and choice. I can choose to listen, and if I do, I will be much more likely to respond. I really believe God is wise to whisper. And that my choice to listen for Him is one of the most important things I can do.
I recently read Bill Hybels’ latest book “The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God, Having the Guts to Respond.” Hearing God is something that can be very dicey. When someone says they heard from God, who can argue? Who can challenge? When actions come from this basis, there is no come back. I find myself never really confident I can believe for sure that someone really hears from God.
Having said that, I approached this book with some skepticism. It is such a mystery. Anyone who claims they have this figured out is suspect in my mind. I sense that I hear from God, but am always open to the idea that I have a hearing problem. I am too flawed to think otherwise.
I think Hybels approached this topic with honesty and humility. His stories from his own life, and the lives of others were varied yet had a certain consistency: a humble heart on the part of the listener, an attentiveness to God, a willingness to hear.
My favorite chapter by far was how God speaks to us through the words of others. Again, it focused on the great importance of letting down ones’ guard. Of being humble, not defensive.
Although this book inspired me to be a better listener to the Spirit of God at work in my life, I felt like it was void of some of the mystery. Some of the struggle that comes with listening seemed a bit absent. In retrospect one can see how God guides, but when I am in the moment it can be very hard to discern whether a prompting is from God, from my own desires, guilt or some other voice of influence.
I think this book as a companion to “Hearing God” by Dallas Willard would make a good study of this topic. Willard has more depth to his writings, yet Hybels paints a clearer picture of how to listen. The discussion would likely be lively. Personal stories would abound. But I am fairly confident that this topic is one that has many tensions that will not resolve.
In any case, knowing God most often seems to whisper, not shout, and that the way to hear Him is to tune in expectantly and with a humble heart is developed in both books. What comes after that is hard to be firm about, in my mind. But the grace of God covers the mistakes we might make.
