As I was sitting at my desk recently, my administrative assistant came into my office and handed me a large envelope. My curiosity was piqued thinking that someone must have sent me an important letter that was not to be folded. Seeing that the envelope was framed with little blue triangles saying "U.S. Postage PAID," my sense of anticipation grew thinking that whoever sent this wanted me to know that they sacrificed for me to receive this special message. My expectancy increased further as I examined this 8.5 x 11 envelope and discovered large font near the address window that read: "Personal and Confidential Correspondence To Be Opened by Addressee ONLY." Surely, someone took great care to prepare this message specifically for me. Certainly, this envelope contained a significant, personal message.

As I turned the envelope to read to whom it was addressed, my skyrocketing eagerness to receive this significant, personal message that someone went through so much effort to send, plummeted when I saw that it was addressed to: "John Doe." Ugh! That was almost as bad as "Current Occupant."

I am so glad that God does not send us junk mail addressed to "Current Occupant." On the contrary, God speaks specifically to us as His child, with an intentional message of love. He is the God who knows us (Jeremiah 1:5) – who has inscribed us on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16) – who knows the very hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30) – who knit us together in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13) – who knows when we stand and when we sit (Psalm 139:2)– who hears our voice when we cry out to Him (Psalm 4:3) – who sees our tears (Psalm 56:8) – who holds us (Isaiah 41:10) – and who calls us by name (Isaiah 43:1).

As you listen for God and as you open the Word in the days ahead, be open to God's specific message to you. The God who knows you intimately also loves you deeply and wants to speak to you clearly! Ask Him today: "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening" (I Samuel 3:10).