A decade ago, I was attending a leadership summer camp called Wholly Iowa Youth Leadership Disciplining Event (Wiylde) at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. This leadership camp was geared towards high school students, and we spent a week learning about God, about being a Lutheran, and about the ways that we could live out our faith. On one of the last nights of the camp, we were in a common area outside singing, praying, and listening to music. As I found myself more immersed in the moment, I suddenly heard a voice clearly telling me that one day I was going to go to Luther College and go into ministry.
This voice caught me completely off guard because it was so unexpected, and I had no idea where the voice was coming from. A couple of years later, when I was attending Luther College, I told a pastor about my experience, and they excitedly told me, "That was the voice of God, Nicole." Hearing those words changed my entire perspective on that experience, and suddenly I was looking and listening for the ways God was working in my life.
I have been thinking about this experience a lot the last few weeks, especially through many conversations that I have had with friends and people at Lord of Life. It is always fascinating to hear about the ways people have heard God speaking in their lives. It may not be an experience like I had, or perhaps you have heard God that clearly, but you may have experienced God speaking to you in other ways. It may be through other people, the outdoors, meditation, prayer, music, and so much more. Perhaps the way God has spoken to you has led you to new and unexpected places. For myself, hearing the voice of God so strongly led me to go to Luther College and into ministry. One song I am reminded of is "Oceans". The bridge of the song says, "Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters whenever you would call me."
You may not have heard God speak in your life so clearly, but the Spirit is always on the move. I see God at work in the variety of ministries at Lord of Life. I see the Spirit at work through all the people that walk through the doors of Lord of Life. What are the ways God is speaking to you? Is God leading you to new and unexpected places?
Always speaking,
Pastor Nicole