Why are we not hearing from God?

Hey guys I just feel the need to share what's been on my heart lately and what God has been revealing to me these past few weeks. That is the importance of communication. Specifically our communication with our heavenly father.

First, I want to emphasize the difference between a relationship with God and a religious association. Religion is a set of rules and regulations that follow a common belief amongst groups of people. Religion is "God tell me what to do, and I do it". But a relationship is that and so much more. A relationship requires time, commitment, and most of all: communication. A relationship with God requires us to talk with God instead of blatantly following a set of rules. Don't get me wrong, those rules still need to be followed, but without a proper relationship with the rule maker, the act of following those rules have no importance.

Studies show that the number one cause of divorce amongst married couples is not money issues, but actually the lack of proper communication between a spouse and their partner. It's simple enough to understand: if you don't properly talk to the person you "love" then the relationship with that person is going to lack substantially.

What if told you this same issue amongst divorced couples is happening with the Church's relationship with God?

Sadly this is the case with many people who claim the title as a "Christian". So many people want the title, but don't want to dedicate to keeping a healthy relationship with Christ himself.

I'll be the first one to tell you that I have fall victim to this mentality more than once in my life. I have to constantly remind myself to maintain communication with my creator.

As Christians I feel like we find ourselves more than often treating God like Santa. Throwing our prayers at him like wish lists when in need, but not caring to actually talk to him. This is like asking a stranger in the street for a hundred dollars and expecting him to hand it over; not gonna happen (if it does, count your blessings and give me some). But if I went to my Dad, someone who I have a great relationship with, and ask for the same amount, I know that he would in a heartbeat. That is because even though I'm 9000 miles away from my dad, our communication is still present, therefore so is our genuine relationship.

On the other side of the spectrum, there are Christians that instead of constantly asking for what they need, they say, "God whatever you want. You're will be done."

Shocker: God's will is going to happen regardless of your prayers.

I am currently in the process of planning a wedding, and after some disagreements on some planning factors. I told my fiancé, "Whatever, you do what you want." Big mistake. This temporarily hurt our relationship, and since then I apologized. She wanted both of us to participate in the planning, and it hurt her when I just laid it all on her. It's not that she couldn't handle it, but working together on something as big as this is a part of our relationship as future husband and wife.

It takes two to tango.

God knows and can handle our life needs, but he wants us to have a level of relationship where we communicate those prayers and wants to him, instead of just handing them over to him to deal with. We still need to bring forth our prayers and needs to God. Talk to him about our problems. Don't just push it off and say "whatever, God has this". This is what I call lazy faith.

There has to be an balance between requesting from God and having faith that he'll come through. That tying factor is a proper relationship fueled by communication.

When someone whispers to you, the only way you can hear them is by being close to them. Throughout the bible we see how God communicates to his people. Many of these times it's through a small whisper, or a still soft voice.

We have to be close to God to hear him. Our relationship with God should be a hand in hand, coffee meet up type relationship. It should not be an over the phone, spiritual hotline type of relationship. Healthy and close communication is needed for an intimate relationship.

This is why many of us have trouble hearing from God. We are on the other side of the room when he's whispering to us, trying to comprehend a still small voice that cannot be heard without be right next to him. A lot of the time we don't want to be separated from God at this type of distance, but we have allowed other things to come between us and God. What are we committed to that is interfering with our communication with him?

Push aside those worthless commitments and grow closer to God. This can be done through diving into his word, and actually putting the effort into communicating to him through prayer. Walk with God in the way Adam did in the garden. Have that one on one communication that he desires to have with you. Only then will you properly hear from him in your life.

Talk with God.