We can’t say we have a personal relationship with God, and at the same time believe that He never talks to us. It can be tricky to hear Him sometimes, but He always wants to talk to us and guide us. Being open to guidance from the Holy Spirit is a crucial part of Christian living. We can’t choose to ignore it. But how can we learn to be open to being led by the Spirit? It’s not something that’s reserved for ‘important people’ or for those who seem ‘more spiritual’ than us. God will speak to us if we’ll just take the time to listen to Him. Part of having a relationship with God is having conversations, and that means listening as well as speaking. We just need to practice it daily. J Richard Foster writes: ‘In our day heaven and earth are on tiptoe waiting for the emerging of a spirit-led…spirit-empowered people…It has happened before. It can happen again. Such a people will not emerge until there is among us a deeper, more profound experience of an Emmanuel of the spirit – God with us, a knowledge that in the power of the Spirit Jesus has come to guide His people Himself, an experience of His leading that is as definite and immediate as the cloud that led Israel by day and the fire by night.’ That experience can be ours when we believe the promise: ‘The Lord will guide you continually.’ And that promise is for us. So, memorise it, personalise it, live by it, and see where it takes you this coming year.
What now?
Try having a proper conversation with God, like you’d talk to your friends. Tell Him about your day, ask questions, listen for answers, and show Him that you really want to hear what He’s got to say.