Spiritual Awareness

Beloved, one of the greatest needs in our day is spiritual awareness — the ability to discern when God is speaking, moving, or drawing near. But the challenge is this: God doesn’t always arrive with thunder or spectacle. Sometimes, He just whispers. Sometimes He stirs a thought or allows something subtle to cross your path. And if you’re not spiritually awake, you’ll miss it.

Think of young Samuel. He wasn’t in a revival meeting. He was in the temple, sleeping. The Word of the Lord had been rare in those days; the lamp was almost out, both physically and spiritually. Yet, in that dry atmosphere, God chose to speak. Not with fire or force, but simply by calling his name: “Samuel.” And Samuel, thinking it was Eli, ran to him. He heard the voice, but he didn’t yet recognise it. Still, he responded. That’s the secret. He got up. He said, “Here I am.” Again and again, until finally Eli discerned it was the Lord. And with Eli’s guidance, Samuel spoke the words that shifted his entire destiny: “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

That’s how spiritual awareness begins — not with having all the answers, but with a posture of willingness. Samuel didn’t know much yet, but his heart was awake. God looks for that. He’s not always seeking maturity; sometimes, He’s just looking for availability.

Now consider Moses. He wasn’t in a prayer vigil or a holy meeting. He was tending sheep in the backside of the desert. Decades had passed since he last thought he could be used by God. But then came the moment — subtle, strange, and sacred. A bush burned, but wasn’t consumed. And here’s the beautiful part: Moses said to himself, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight.” That’s when God spoke. Not before he turned, but after. When Moses paused long enough to look deeper, heaven opened.

And what did God say? “Moses, Moses.” His name — called from the fire. This was no coincidence. It was divine strategy. God set the scene, but He waited for Moses to lean in.

You see, God doesn’t force himself upon us. He draws us. He woos. He captures attention without violating our will. He wants to see who will turn aside. Who will notice? Who will press in when others walk by?

The same God is at work today. He speaks not only through dramatic encounters, but also through small nudges — the verse that lingers in your mind, the conversation that echoes in your heart, the pull to pray when you’re doing something else. These are burning bushes. These are whispers in the night. And if we’re too distracted, we’ll walk past them.

God is still calling. Sometimes He uses silence to stir hunger. Other times, He uses unusual things to test your attentiveness. Samuel needed Eli to guide him. Moses needed to respond to a bush. And you? You need to remain spiritually alert. Pay attention to the things that seem to shimmer slightly out of the ordinary. You don’t need fireworks to know it’s God. You need sensitivity.

In our fast-paced generation, becoming spiritually aware often begins by slowing down. We must learn to value stillness, to listen beyond the noise, and to treasure the quiet corners of life. When you feel prompted to turn off the music and pray — do it. When a verse stirs your spirit — don’t dismiss it. When you feel the weight of God’s nearness for no reason at all — pause. The world may keep rushing, but those who walk with God must learn to turn aside.

A young woman once told me she felt repeatedly nudged to turn off the radio during her commute and just sit with God. After days of ignoring it, she finally did. That day, in the silence of her car, she encountered a peace that brought her to tears. She said, “I didn’t even know He was trying to speak — until I listened.” That’s what happens when we make space for Him.

Let me be clear: God is still speaking. He still calls names in the dark. He still sets bushes on fire in the wilderness of your daily routine. He still draws near to those who will turn aside. Don’t wait for thunder. Don’t demand a miracle before you move. Respond to the gentle nudge. Say, “Speak, Lord.” Lean in. Be curious. Let Him surprise you.

Friend, today, if you hear His voice — even faintly — do not harden your heart. Don’t brush it off. Don’t explain it away. The God who called Samuel and Moses is calling you. And the invitation isn’t just to hear a word. It’s to walk with Him, to know Him, to be a carrier of His presence.

Let us pray:
Lord, awaken our spirits. Help us not to walk past the burning bushes You place in our path. Teach us to pause, to listen, to turn aside when You call. Make us spiritually aware, not just in the big moments, but in the quiet ones. Speak, Lord — we are listening. Amen.

Kay Alli