Peter Marshall

Lately it seems everything I read or listen to mentions people hearing God speak to them. There is an almost endless supply of stories about it. They are interesting and I love to hear about them. Others rarely tire of hearing them, even when they do not entirely believe them.

I think they capture the imagination and perhaps challenge people to investigate or research the subject of divine guidance and hearing God.

I recently re-read an account of a Scot named Peter Marshall, who in the middle of the twentieth century became one of America's most widely known and admired ministers. He brought the office of chaplain of the U.S. Senate to a higher level of prominance through his outstanding qualities as a man as well as a minister.

One night while he was still in Britain, he decided to take a shortcut across the moors in an area where there was a deep, deserted limestone quarry. It was a foggy, pitch-black night and he was plodding blindly forward.

Suddenly, an urgent voice called out, "Peter!" He stopped and answered: "Yes, who is it? What do you want?" There was no response.

He thought it had been his imagination so took a few more steps. The voice came again, even more urgently, "Peter!"

He stopped again and tried to see into the darkness, but he stumbled forward and fell to his knees. Putting down his hand to brace himself, he touched nothing but air. He felt around in a semi-circle and discovered he was right on the brink of the abandoned quarry, where one more step would certainly have killed him.

Brother Lawrence, "The Practice of The Presence of God" author wrote:
There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful
than that of a continual conversation with God.
Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it;
yet I do not advise you to do it from that motive.
It is not pleasure which we ought to seek in this exercise;
but let us do it from a principle of love,
and because God would have us.

Hope you enjoyed the walk, Jean