Have you ever recognized when our God is communicating with you by way of your spirit? Frank Viola describes it as “the voice without words.” That is one of the best descriptions I have heard.

Perhaps you have experienced this as well. Perhaps you know that rarely is it an externally audible voice, like when another human is talking to you. It is most often the interjection of thoughts directly from the Holy Spirit delivered to our own spirits.

Initially we may ask ourselves, “Did I just think that?” As one grows in intimacy with the “God-in-Christ-in-you” (see John 17 for Jesus speaking to this), His communications will become easier to recognize.

This account of the first time I remember recognizing my God speaking to me happened in 1971, when I was in the 9th grade. My 8th and 9th grade years were a time of spiritual awakening for me.

The ninth grade represented a spiritual battle for me. Some of my friends were poor influences on me and I was not strong enough to resist consistently. On the plus side, I experienced the positive influence of sincere and dedicated Christian parents.

That year we decided as a family that we would move to the Sierra Nevada mountains near Yosemite. I knew my social world would soon be upended. Deep down was the feeling that perhaps I would benefit from the upending.

One evening while attending a church service, the Spirit spoke into me in a way that I recognized. It was a new experience, but not a fearful one. As I looked at the people singing a hymn I sensed in my spirit, “These people seriously believe what they are singing about. Do you?”

I was mildly startled. This was the first time I was aware of the Holy Spirit communicating with me. I knew this had come from Him. I also knew the answer was no, I did not believe as seriously as the people around me did.

What I did not yet know was that our God was just getting started. He was going to be at work in me in the coming few months, revealing things to me and redirecting me in every aspect of my living.

Spoiler: No, I am not a miracle worker or a prophet as people envision them. I am a regular working guy who believes what the Bible says about our God and how He works in all people. But believing has led to some amazing experiences! More on these early experiences in a coming post, “The Mountain House.”