Experiencing a persistent nudge, exploring it, taking on a spiritual practice, experiencing continued encouragement seemingly out of nowhere, listening, energy and excitement welling up, way opening—these are characteristics of the coming of a leading from God.
Some time ago I began to feel a nudge to write a blog. As the nudge persisted I eventually began to explore the idea and then to practice what I might write. I felt called to write daily, at least something.
Despite much internal resistance I did the writing because I kept getting encouragement seemingly out of nowhere. One day a Richard Rohr online Daily Meditation talked about dying into love, a topic about which I feel deeply, so I wrote about that. Another day it was a blogpost by Micah Bales about his persistence in starting a new Quaker Christian fellowship. I admired his persistence, and sat down to be persistent about writing. One day I wrote in my journal about what was happening with this nudge. And another day I opened Weavings to an article about having a daily morning practice of reading, prayer, and writing. How could I not write that day?
The writing practice was hard but it engaged me and energized me. I wrote about whatever came internally for me that day. And then when a door seemed to shut on a blog, it happened that a friend inquired about a “Quaker daily devotional .” The idea turned on a light in me and interested others who heard about it. Way continued to open. You are reading part of what has developed.
Queries:
If you were being nudged, would you notice? What characteristics point to its being God’s voice that you hear?
How do you give a yes in the early stages of a leading?
What are your spiritual practices?
Prayer:
Holy One, open the ears of my heart to hear even your whisper.
For further reflection:
“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (See I Samuel 3: 1-9)
“the sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (See John 10: 1-5)
[If you wish to comment, please do so drawing from your own experience. Please refrain from comments that judge or critique the posting. Thank you.]
