Between the Bible and Hollywood, we all seem to have the impression that God communicates by means of a thundering voice from the clouds, or the mountaintop, or some other spectacular setting. The fact that we don’t seem to witness such displays in real life give rise to doubts that He even exists.

So, what’s up?

Why doesn’t God speak to us when we need Him the most in our times of distress? Why doesn’t He speak up when He has the chance to prove Himself to those who don’t believe? Why is He silent?

The quick answer is – perhaps we’re not listening, or we’re not tuned in.

In all probability, we are handicapped by our own senses. We are overwhelmed by the noise of our environment, overwhelmed by our vision, our sense of touch, taste, body temperature, etc. etc. etc.

Ironically, most of our prayers are via mental telepathy. We seldom say those prayers out loud, we “think” our prayer, and expect God to receive the message. Yet, somehow, we can’t grasp the concept that God might communicate with us in the same manner, but we can’t hear the message because of all the noise of our environment.

Perhaps God speaks to us in a universal languag.

Perhaps God speaks to us in a language of emotion. Perhaps the emotional pain we feel when we see a puppy being mistreated, or witness the grief of a mother who has lost a child, or an injured bird limping across the lawn – perhaps that emotion is a message from God reminding us that life matters.

Perhaps the pleasure we feel when we see a beautiful sunset, or the joy we feel witnessing our child or grandchild mastering a new skill is a whisper from God.

Perhaps God speaks to us when a beautiful Blue Jay perches in a tree outside our window, or when a butterfly lands on a flower in our garden. Perhaps God comforts us with a warm breeze or a gentle rain.

Perhaps we hear God’s message when we surrender our anxious or angry thoughts and embrace compassion and forgiveness. Perhaps we hear his message when we embrace and practice love.

Perhaps those flashes of inspiration are God’s gifts.

We are so accustomed to communication through our human senses that we have become deaf to God’s voice. Maybe if we focus and meditate on hearing God’s form of communication, we will begin to hear Him, and we will find the answers we seek.