This requires listening and obedience. First, when you get before God, don’t do all the talking. Listen. If you look at Acts 13, you’ll find that the first missionaries ever were sent out when a group of church leaders were together praying and fasting. Not only did the Spirit speak, they listened and obeyed. “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:2-3). Just like you instinctively know the sound of your mother’s voice because you’ve spent so much time in her presence, the more time you spend in the presence of God, the more recognizable the voice of His Spirit will be to you. Then it’s up to you to obey, because when the Spirit speaks, He’s not giving you suggestions, He’s giving you commands. But since you’ve already humbled and submitted yourself by this point, you’re ready to obey.
