Have you heard God's voice?

I saw something this morning as I was scrolling social media that disturbed me deep into my soul. A woman had posted that she felt God was telling her to write a devotional about anxiety for children and she had no idea where to start, asking for suggestions. The first comment said, "I'd start with ChatGPT", which got several "likes" (and made me want to vomit). I read comment after comment, advising her to talk to counselors, listen to certain podcasts, consult AI tools, listen to various speakers, etc, etc. But only a few comments recommended she start by praying and even less pointed her to start in Scripture.

In our world of convenience and social media and AI tools, it's all too easy to jump online and ask an anonymous community for advice, to ask AI what to do, to call a friend, listen to a podcast, watch some reels, listen to other people's opinions or interpretations of Scripture. But what happened to good ol' fashioned sitting at the feet of Jesus, being still before Him and seeking God for wisdom/direction? It takes longer. It often leads down paths you wouldn't have chosen and doesn't always answer the question we started out running after. It requires time and patience, two things in short supply in our culture.

God's word instructs us in many places; both Old Testament and New Testament, how to seek His will. I think most believers are familiar with James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." But how many know the verse that directly follows that advice? vs 6 continues, "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt..." That's the key here- you must believe that God will grant wisdom! This requires a few foundational things:

1. I must trust that God listens to me.

2. I must believe that God speaks.

3. I must wait patiently for Him to reveal it to me.

4. I must recognize His voice.

5. I must be obedient to follow what He reveals.

Let's be real, it's FAR easier to consult any other source! And then the real kicker is #5. What if the answer I get is something I don't want to do?! Yeah, it's much safer to keep asking online communities so we can sift through the advice and pick what we like best. Or ask every friend we know and then ignore all the suggestions I didn't like. Or listen to 15 podcasts and pick the 1 that seemed easiest for me to do.

And what about asking AI? There's so many tools out there and they can all be used strategically for good. But they can all also be used by the enemy to deceive. And even worse, it's slowly teaching us to stop finding answers anywhere else. It's making laziness too easy. I could open my Bible and search for Scriptures that God uses to speak to me... or I could go online and ask for some verses that immediately pop up as suggestions. But is that necessarily God? Maybe.

Or Maybe all these things are slowly conditioning us to stop seeking God. We can become so consumed with conversations about God that we forget to include God.

AI is a great tool. It can assist in putting together thoughts and plans. But used unwisely it will rob you of the journey of seeking God. Yes, it's a journey.

When I first felt led to move to Poland and become a missionary, I spoke only to God about it for an entire month. I prayed, I read the Bible, I looked for signs in what was happening around me. And y'all- I'm not kidding when I can honestly say that God SPOKE to me. After an entire 30 days of praying, journaling, reading the Bible, I was standing on top of Mt. Bonnell in Austin, TX. I was looking out over the river and marveling at the view. I was asking myself if I could really leave behind everything that was familiar to me. And then, clear as day, I heard a voice ask me, "Do you trust me?" Y'all, I seriously turned around to see who was behind me- I honestly thought it was a person behind me. Nope. It was one of a handful of times in my life that I heard the voice of God. My answer was simple and terrifying and peaceful all at the same time. I held onto the metal railing (okay, I gripped it with all the strength in my little fingers) and I swallowed the knot of fear in my stomach and I said, "Yes." And it was immediately followed with another sentence. "Then follow me." Did I know right then and there that I would be moving to Poland? Kind of, but not really. I wasn't sure yet. So then I shared first with my parents, then my roommates, then my church leaders and other close friends. I remember one morning discussing with my roommate, "I just don't know, though, I mean do you think this all means I'm supposed to move to Poland?" (After I got a bookmark in the mail from a random friend who had not been part of these conversations, it was a bookmark of stamps from Poland, and the note inside simply read, "I saw this at the bookstore and thought of you.") My roommate laughed and asked me, "How many times are you gonna make God tell you?" Y'all. God speaks. God answers. But it's typically a journey that rarely answers the exact question we first asked and almost never happens overnight or in the timing we want or expect and yet gives such a full and complete answer that we know it was God. And nothing compares to the soul-deep connection you have with Him and the confidence gained in walking with your Lord. Asking AI (or friends, or online communities, or podcasts, etc.) can't give you that. They are all useful tools that God can use to confirm what He's telling you. But if they are your first source of advice, you're very much missing out on knowing Him.