More Thots on Hearing God

I've been thinking about a "Hearing God Scale." Here's what it might look like:

Level 0
God moves/speaks and you miss him completely. God's certainly not happy about anyone being on this level, but many Christians live in this place most of the time. I think we'd all agree this is not a good place to be on our scale!

Level 1
God moves/speaks and he really wants you to hear him, but you might not be listening or know how to discern his voice. So God breaks out his holy 2x4 and whacks you on the proverbial head. You hear God and don't miss him! God only uses this one when he has to. He'd rather not go this route, but will if necessary. If you ask me, I'd rather get the whack than miss God.

Level 2
God moves/speaks and you get it- most of the time. God really wants you to hear what he has to say, so he gives you a spiritual "nudge." You hear God, but he's still not satisfied about what he's got to do to get you to hear his voice.

Level 3
God moves/speaks and you observe his Spirit working, thereby discerning what is going on. You're getting much better at this listening stuff! But God still has another step for you.

Level 4
God wants to move/speak and as his heart turns toward moving/speaking, you (tuned in to his Spirit) sense his heart and just know what he wants to do. NOW you've reached the place where God wants you to live!

If Holy Spirit lives within us and we are attuned to his Voice/Heart, we know what he is feeling even AS he feels it. THAT'S what holiness is- being so attuned to Holy Spirit that you do not sin.

Hmm. I hadn't thought about holiness and listening to God as being necessarily related before. Now I am!