God's Native Language

Wk✌️ of The Familiar Stranger... Make sure you read the Reminders

Jul 12, 2025

I sometimes find myself in situations where I wish I knew another language well. I know bits and pieces of Spanish, French, and Japanese due to life experience. But if I was dropped by helicopter in those foreign lands and told to communicate my way to survive, you might as well call the coroner.

In high school, I took Latin, because my best friend’s mom taught it. Admittedly, I could’ve applied myself more in the class. Ms. Lila taught us about the history and application of Latin to the english language. But when it came to verb conjugation, I peaced out.✌️ If Latin (a dead language) were also part of my survival, I would only be able to communicate “girl,” “is,” and “bathroom.”

God’s Native Language

What if I told you that we already know what God’s “native language” is?

“We tend to miss God in our midst, not because He’s too extraordinary but because He’s too ordinary.” (p. 102)

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah needs to hear from God, so he goes to the place Moses received the 10 commandments, and asks Him to speak.

“The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹²After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face…” (vs 11-13a)

He speaks in a whisper. God’s native language is a whisper. Why?

Because the whisper requires the listener to be still, to shut out all other senses, to pay attention.

The whisper isn’t chaotic or choral with many sounds or splits that cause confusion or questioning.

No, a whisper gives us a great glimpse of the grace of God.
His grace to require stillness helps to galvanize our faith.

Missing the Whisper

The thing about a whisper: It can be easy to miss if you aren’t listening for it.

Why is it that looking for some type of spiritual sign through alphabet soup is our first idea to try and hear God’s voice when He is already speaking?
We often miss God speaking because we look for Him in our own timing and way.

“… learn to listen for HIs voice in the anticlimax of life’s nonevents.” (pg 102)

His whisper doesn’t require grandure or giant signs. His whisper requires a still and longing heart that is looking to praise and please. In doing so, pride and position take a back seat to peace and presence.

God speaks today. His native language: A whisper.

→ If you feel like you can’t or don’t hear Him, have you listened for the whisper?

→ Have you tuned out the world and turned up the Word?

Listen for His whisper. When you do, you’ll meet His Spirit speaking like never before.