Amy Layne Litzelman

Empowering Empty Nesters to Live with Passion and Purpose

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12/27/2016 By Amy Layne Litzelman 4 Comments

Why I Stopped Asking Christians this Question (and Why I’m Starting Again)

Why I Stopped Asking Christian This Question (And Why I'm Starting Again)

It started almost 20 years ago: asking a single question.

My emerging spiritual walk would simply overflow in conversation. I’d request, with anticipation: “So, what’s the Holy Spirit saying to you lately?” I really wanted to know, for several reasons:

  1. to hear the heart and mind of God in the context of real, everyday life.
  2. to stir in both of us the desire to listen to Him more.
  3. to remind of His words that had been set aside.
  4. to build vulnerable, genuine relationships.
So, what’s the Holy Spirit saying to you lately? Click To Tweet

I received many amazing, sometimes very personal, answers.

The truth of God’s heart and character never wavered, but His personal application and encouragement in each life strengthened my resolve of His loving, intimate nature. In just a few words, or hours later, inner fires burned hotter. Understanding deepened. Lives changed.

There were, however, many looks of confusion or nervous laughs as well. It’s not the usual, “Nice weather we’re having,” kind of dialogue after all. This simple inquiry went to the core of a deep issue: Are you living out your relationship with God, daily, in such a way as to know, hear, and obey His voice?

Sadly, many didn’t know what to say.

So, after years of asking, somewhere along the line I’ve mostly stopped. Honestly, I didn’t want to make people feel uncomfortable. I didn’t want to put them on the spot. After so many awkward excuses and testimonies from many years past, I decided to soften my entrance. (I must note, I still ask with anticipation close friends and people I know who actively pursue God’s voice.) But with many, I’ve turned into a “nice weather” conversationalist – and it breaks my heart. I’ve somehow slid into the common mindset that discomfort is undesirable and deep questions are rude. That vulnerability is offensive.

But, is it?

Have we, have I, become so sensitive or so lax that we can’t challenge others and get excited to be challenged?

Why is this important?

AW Tozer wrote years ago in The Knowledge of the Holy: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” How you view God speaks volumes about where you are in relation to Him, yourself, and others. If you aren’t actively listening for Him, watching, waiting, and anticipating His constant, personal communication, your thoughts of Him will be tainted by self and the world around you.

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. #Tozer Click To Tweet

How can I know this?

Because I’ve lived it. You don’t have to be a scholar or scientist to know life is in a constant state of movement. Absolutely nothing sits still, unchanged. It is either moving forward or backward, toward life or toward death. Our relationship with our Creator is no different. If you’re not actively involved, walking with, listening to, sharing together, obeying, and enjoying Him, you’re starting to drift. Sometimes silently. Sometimes not. But you aren’t staying the same.

Think over the last week, month, year.

  • What growth do you see, personally?
  • What memories of days and moments in His presence?
  • How often are you distracted by thoughts filled with Him?

If these questions make you feel awkward or uncomfortable, please don’t turn away. If they excite you and you can’t wait to speak, I can’t wait to listen.

As the year draws to an end, I can hardly think of a better way to humble myself and stir others to deeper waters.

 

So, I ask you,

“What’s the Holy Spirit saying to you lately?

  • What is He whispering in the night hours or singing over you while you dance?
  • What does He mean by His words?
  • How do they change your perspective?
  • What has He been nudging you to do, gently but persistently?
  • What changes have been made?
  • How do they give direction for your next step?

May we live in such a way as to be ready to give these answers. To call each other higher. To celebrate His faithfulness. To live in humility and love.

“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;

but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ…”
Ephesians 4:14-15 NASB

Filed Under: Empty Nest, Window of Worship Tagged With: Bethel Music, friendship with God, hearing God, purpose, spiritual growth, the journey

« How to Get Unstuck from Discouragement
Are Your Best Years Behind You? »

Comments

  1. Mary Gemmill says

    12/27/2016 at 9:17 pm

    I LOVE asking certain people that question: What is the Holy Spirit saying to you?
    He is talking to me about His desire for me to be fully present when I come before God in prayer, and He is also saying that God wants to presence Himself with me during these times.
    This excites me and I am looking forward to the year ahead as God and I journey together towards fulling experiencing being present with Him and experiencing Him being fully by being in His Presence.

    Reply
    • Amy Litzelman says

      12/27/2016 at 10:30 pm

      I love this, Mary!! I’m so excited for you — and for Him! What joy it brings our God when we listen and anticipate walking life out together in new, deeper ways. His word to me for 2016 was “lean in.” Much like His word to you, but He called me to lean into both His presence and each moment, whatever I was doing, whoever I was with. I’ll never regret obeying His words. What a year of growth and treasures. God bless you!

      Reply
  2. Jerry Hunter says

    12/30/2016 at 8:10 pm

    I remember you and Matt asking me this question several years ago on different occasions, I have never forgot as I have used it myself since. It is easy to ask people you know with whom you have a good relationship with and it brings forth good dialog. It is interesting because this past year I have been stirred to start asking those who I do not know well “How’s life?”. This too has brought forth good dialog pertaining to life and what is really important, a good witness to those who do not know Jesus. What you have posted is a good encouragement to pursue deeper conversation, as I have been slacking off myself. Thanks for the “stir into deeper waters”! May this next year take you even Higher!

    Reply
    • Amy Litzelman says

      01/01/2017 at 8:09 pm

      Hey Jerry,
      Great to hear from you! Thanks for taking time to read and comment. That’s a great idea to go deeper with those you don’t know well or who don’t yet know Jesus. I’d love to hear what the Holy Spirit is speaking to you about – for the coming year, etc. May your year be filled with the fruit that comes of deep roots!
      God bless you!

      Reply

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