The "Gentle Whispers"

   Communication is fundamental to humans and their relationships.  A family who doesn't talk to each other is a group of people who are related, and nothing more.  A business who doesn't practice internal communication is doomed to failure.  Two friends who don't listen to what the other has to say are straining to keep a relationship that doesn't have any substance.  A husband who will not speak with his wife-- and more importantly, listen to her-- is slowly losing the love of his life.
   Our relationship with God relies on the same premise.  As very children of the Creator, we rely on communication to build the foundation of our relationship with our heavenly Father.
   The other night, I was lying in my bed.  It was late, and no one was in the room, so (as I often do) I prayed out loud.  I began by thanking God for who He is, and proceeded to recap my day, with its high and low points, and so on.  Eventually, I began to get a little more personal, as I honestly told my Father about some things I was struggling with in my social life.  I ended up asking a question (remember, I'm praying out loud) and waited for a reply.  As silence ensued, I proceeded to tell God how I was disappointed for the lack of reply.  "God, ya know, sometimes it would be cool to hear you every once in awhile," I said.
   Instantly, I felt convicted.  Why should I expect the God of the universe to have such an intimate conversation with Him whenever I barely give Him five minutes a day in prayer?
   Have you ever considered what it would be like to have a child and live with him/her, yet barely communicate with them?  Wouldn't that break your heart?  The child is able to say "I love you" at every minute of the day, since they are with you constantly, but you rarely hear the phrase cross their lips.  Sometimes you'll hear it once a day.  Twice if you're lucky.
   I feel like that's how God feels about our relationship with Him.  Remember, this is the God who provides for His children.  This is the God that desires to talk with His children.  Yet, they are so busy with the things their Father has provided them with, they forget to stop and talk to Him.  I mean, they barely say "Thank-you," yet they have the audacity to ask for more things.  More?  Really?
   This is why it is crucial for God's children to talk.  It is crucial to talk to the Father, and even more important to consistently speak with Him.  Let Him know what is on your heart.  He's ready to listen.
   One of the many facts in life that people constantly overlook is the fact that communication is a two-way street.  Talking is often remembered, yet listening is conveniently forgotten.
   How does this apply to our relationship with Christ?  Not only do we need to speak to Him, but we need to listen to His words too.  He has given us the Spirit to translate for us.  Translators work both ways.  How amazing is it to think that we have the potential to hear words directly from God?  Yes, it may not be audible words (although, God certainly has the ability to make Himself heard if He so desires), but He consistently speaks words of truth about our lives.  His language may not be one of winds, earthquakes, and fires, but we can be happy in knowing that God speaks in the "gentle whisper."
   Here's the challenge to myself, and to you as well.  Spend more than five minutes a day talking with God.  The more time you spend with God, the more intimate the relationship.  Isn't that what we want, an intimate relationship with God?  This is how we grow.  We strengthen our bond with the Creator when we speak with Him.  He talks; we just have to be trained to listen.