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Holy
Hunches
Have you ever
thought about how God speaks to us today? It often seems like God
provides us with a divine nudge, an inspiration, or what we might
call a “holy hunch.” These hunches happen during the course of our
normal everyday lives. They prompt us to actions that reflect the
heart of God at work in the world. They challenge us to ask
questions, make phone calls, write letters, and engage in
spontaneous acts of generosity. They call us to move beyond
routine.
I don’t think
John Calvin or Martin Luther ever talked about holy hunches and
there is no precise definition. However, they are real and they are
important nonetheless. We mostly experience them and know they are
“holy” because they come from God or move us toward God’s will.
As
Christians, we pray, worship and read Scriptures in an effort to
open our hearts and minds to the creative movement of God’s Spirit.
We do all these things and more not just to show our devotion go God
but to open ourselves for God to speak to us – to give us a hunch.
But the bigger
question centers on what we do when these holy hunches come.
Unfortunately, holy hunches are often repressed, stifled or denied.
The great enemies of our hunches – fear, practicality, arrogance,
insecurity and laziness – rise up and shackle us from acting on
these promptings from God. Disapproving voices from friends or
family can override what we know to be true. We allow other voices
to squelch that still, small voice of God.
My friends, we
have just come through Easter and there is much for which to be
thankful and much Good News that we need to share with our world.
Don’t allow negative voices to squelch your enthusiasm and joy in
being alive in Christ. When we allow ourselves to respond to our
holy hunches, God’s presence in the world is released in remarkable
and miraculous ways. When we respond to these promptings, our faith
is stretched and deepened. Lives will be changed. Dreams will be
ignited. Ministries will be birthed. God’s love will be acted out
in the world. And WE will be a part of them because we LISTENED AND
ACTED. Open yourself to hear God’s voice and then joyously act on
your holy hunches!
Your partner in Christ,
Carol
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