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Church is a good place to learn things. When the Word of God is preached clearly and correctly, you can hear God speak.

Daily Bible reading is a good way to learn things. When you read the Bible with the intention to listen to whatever God tells you, you can hear God speak.

But what about when God is silent? Am I not listening, or is He really not speaking?

If you are not listening, you’ll know that. Much like a child who is trying to ignore his or her parents, you will know if you are purposefully not listening. It’s not a nice feeling.

But what if you are listening and you just can’t hear anything? Is God no longer on speaking terms?

Let me tell you about some things I learned in church and from the people in it.

Do not take God’s silence for apathy or inactivity.

God speaks at the appropriate time – when it is the perfect time to speak. He’s not ignoring you, He’s just waiting for things to be just right. Sometimes silence is used to emphasize what is said next. Silence lets you know that the words are important.

God speaks in unlikely and sometimes even mysterious ways. He may tell you something Himself, He may have someone else tell you. He may just show you something. He may do none of these and surprise you. Don’t limit God. He’s very creative.

God speaks in answer to our prayers. He doesn’t always do it when we think He should, or even how we think He should, but He does answer. Remember, God is very creative.

God speaks to bring us joy! When God tells you something good, doesn’t it just fill you up with jubilant joy? Your joy bucket just sloshes joy all over everything!

God speaks to challenge our faith and silence our doubts. Trust Him. He knows what He’s doing. When you trust God, you will be stronger for it. You will know from personal experience that God actually can do what He says He can do, and it will be easier to trust Him another time.

God speaks to accomplish His eternal purpose! When God speaks and does something, it is always in line with His plan for eternity. Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” God has “before ordained.” That means He already knows what is going to happen and why, and He is working it all for good.

When God is silent, listen up! He’s about to say something life-changing!