Psalm 22
a song about God calling
Did you ask me something,
Lord—and did I not hear?
How do I know it’s you
Speaking (when no one
Else is in the room) and
Not the voice of another
Or simply my invention?—I
Hope I apprehend when
You might speak, especially
When you have something
To tell me to do
You would not ask of me
Destructive or demented
Activity. Then, Lord, and
Anytime, let me do
What you request, even
When I might (guaranteed)
Hear imperfectly from you.
clcouch123 
January 22, 2016 at 2:05 am
I like this poem tremendously. I think you ask a question that is universal among those who believe in God. How do I know when God is talking to me, how do I know which direction God wants me to take? You share this question well. My own experience, is to pray, or like you to write? I read my Bible, and mostly I let life happen hoping I choose to act as God would want me too. Often I feel a rightness that is inexplicable when I’m headed down the right path. I remember too that God is light unto our path and a lamp unto our feet. So we know the next step but not the entire journey. Of course, In between all of this like you I struggle to know and become frustrated at times and make the wrong moves. I hope you are able to find the right paths in life, that God will lead you, and be your light. Cheers.
January 22, 2016 at 2:56 am
You’re right, the Bible is a practical place (well, book) to go to. Scripture can either fortify or challenge an unclear thought of feeling about God’s will. Or whether or not God is talking with us at all. Prayer is so helpful, too. I try to remember to spend as much time listening in prayer as talking. As you say, knowing enough simply to take the next step–that’s wise. I keep thinking I should know the big picture, even though I rarely do. God is our light. And maybe I am capable of only seeing enough light to know what to do today. Thanks for your detailed and so helpfully thoughtful response.
January 22, 2016 at 3:41 am
Oooh! What a lovely and honest poem. Unlike during the beginning of world when humans can directly talk to God, we are now connecting to God through prayers. And your question, eloquently told, are honest questions that humans surely wonder about. This is such a lovely reflection, Christopher. Kudos!
January 22, 2016 at 2:41 pm
My thanks, certainly. Sometimes (often) I wish we could Eden-talk. Except I have no idea how that actually happened. We have prayer. Hopefully, we listen. Then act as clearly as we can, our resolutions shaped by what we hear and what we know already to be good and true. I admire the way you describe prayers, our connection to God.
January 25, 2016 at 1:03 am
Yes, Eden-talk would surely be clearer, but for now, we can opt for prayer. I guess, we have to be sensitive and obedient enough to hear God’s voice. 🙂
January 22, 2016 at 5:17 am
I ask God this every day. Of course, not in words as eloquent as yours but the gist of it is the same. That’s all anyone who believes in God can hope for, right? Being able to know when we are given divine guidance and following said guidance. “A sign, Lord, is all I need!” It’s surprising and mysterious in the ways we are given these signs to do God’s will. Thanks for this lovely piece. 🙂
January 22, 2016 at 2:49 pm
You’re welcome, and thank you. You’re right, God can speak to us in many ways. Sometimes miraculously directly, as to the children at Fatima. Sometimes even in a kind of deal-making, as with John Newton (the writer of “Amazing Grace”) in a dread-filled storm at sea. I don’t think I receive new words from God so directly or in contracting (you know, if you do this, God, I’ll so such-and-such). I seem to do better (maybe) trying to hear that small, still voice. It’s good you listen close for guidance. And even for affirmation. We need to know and feel assured, after all. You’ve expressed this better here.