How God Speaks

In her book From the Tools of Good Works to the Heart of Humility, Aquinata Bockman, OSB, notes that God speaks to us through different channels. In actuality, God can and does use everything as a channel—that is, a means of communication or expression. Thus gray skies or brilliant sunrises, music or silence, and smooth pathways or bumps in the road are all channels God uses to speak to us. The message is remarkably consistent: “I am with you. Do not be afraid. Come experience new life with me.”

Often we don’t receive the message, despite the many ways it is communicated to us. It may be that we are too busy with our own agendas to listen. It may be that we are expecting a different message (typically something we want to hear), so we don’t recognize the message that is actually being sent. It may be that we believe God doesn’t speak to us when we make mistakes or are experiencing pain or difficult times.

The song Open My Eyes by Jesse Manibusen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbihOyKIvi8) provides a simple meditation to help us be open to God's channels of communication. When we ask God to open our eyes, our ears, and our heart, we can come to the conclusion reached in the song:

I live within you
Deep in your heart, oh, love
I live within you
Rest now in me