God Speaks: But Do We Recognize It?

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Guest Post by Doreen Chia

A thunderous roar. A great flash of light. A flame that does not burn. A gust of wind. Tiny specks of gold, silver, or blue light. A mystically clear voice. Prophetic dreams. Celestial music. A vision, a revelation, an out-of-body journey, angels appearing out of nowhere. These extraordinary experiences have been written about by poets, storytellers, saints, and seekers of God. Such phenomena come to those who have cultivated an inner ear or eye.

The mystery is that God often speaks in ordinary ways—so humble and subtle that the human mind misses or dismisses them for what it cannot explain.  God’s voice can be found in the peace of a gentle breeze, the stillness of nature, or the silence of simply being. We tell ourselves miracles are for others, not for us. We convince ourselves we are unworthy of God’s love. But I have come to know, through experience, that God loves all and is always reaching out. The question is: how do we recognize the signs, the hidden messages, the synchronicities that reveal Divine Spirit at work?

I’ve discovered that when I am doing “nothing,” I am often doing the most important thing of all—connecting with the Divine Spirit. Sadly, daily living often distracts us from this connection, leaving us restless and irritable, disconnected from the inner peace that allows us to hear God’s whisper.  Without inner peace, we live on edge, easily irritated, thrown into imbalance.

I live my life listening, watching God’s hand in action, trusting, and believing. The synchronicity of events occurs so often that I cannot doubt God’s love or higher plans for me. I am deeply grateful for these spiritual gifts, which have guided my decisions and shaped my life with perfect timing.

Waking Dreams

Waking dreams are signs—warnings of danger, answers to pressing questions, or gentle guidance.

Drowned in God’s Love

On a visit to Australia, a friend urged me to enjoy the Pacific Ocean. I found a rock to sit upon, tall enough to keep the water from my shoes. As waves thundered against the shore, I spoke inwardly with God, immersed in the vastness and beauty before me. Though the roar was deafening, a silent peace enveloped me.

Just as I rose to leave, a sneaker wave crashed against the rocks, drenching me. To my friend, it was a comical mishap. To me, it was God’s embrace—a waking dream of love, a sacred moment only a spiritual dreamer could understand.

God Speaks in Mysterious Ways

When I applied for certification to facilitate advanced workshops, I needed the division head’s recommendation. She doubted my readiness, and her hesitation devastated me. In anguish, I searched my heart: was this ego, or genuine calling? I reapplied with a compelling account of my past performance, but silence followed. Self-doubt weighed so heavily that I cried out to Divine Spirit. Instantly, the burden lifted, and I slept in peace.

The next morning, a loud thud startled me. On the carpet lay a coin—appearing golden though it was silver. I knew it was a waking dream: a sign that my application would be supported. That afternoon, the division head confirmed her sponsorship. God had answered, lifting my weight and dropping a coin at my feet to assure me all would be well.

Synchronicity

Synchronicity is the orchestration of events that bring unexpected blessings.

A Perfect Coincidence

While visiting London after many years, I learned that Jane, dear to me, was invited to England by a new suitor. Concerned for her wellbeing, I arranged to meet him. By divine timing, I was already in London, close to his hometown. The meeting confirmed his sincerity, and Jane’s relationship flourished. Only God could have aligned the timing so perfectly.

A Final Farewell

A year before a planned exhibition in Shanghai, we booked flights through Singapore. Days before departure, I learned my brother was critically ill. Because of our itinerary, changing the flight was simple and inexpensive. I reached him in time to share a final, lucid moment before his passing. The sequence of events—planned long before—was God’s orchestration, ensuring I could say goodbye without undue financial burden.

Conclusion

Both waking dreams and synchronicities are God’s ways of guiding, warning, or blessing us. The responsibility lies with us to recognize his hand in our lives and to respond with gratitude. By opening our hearts in thankfulness, we invite more of God’s love to flow into our lives.