I had been born again only a few months when a new God-friend shared something that radically changed my life. As we were driving down Atlanta’s highway chatting about our children, she casually remarked that she was able to hear each member of the God-head speak to her. This was such a radical thought that if I’d been driving, I would have lost control of the car and landed in a ditch! 

“What do they sound like?” I asked. She paused slightly, “God sounds like a father. Jesus sounds like a good friend. Holy Spirit sounds like a mother.” At that very moment, my heart immediately responded: “I want that too! I want a personal relationship with each one. I want to recognize each of their individual voices and personalities.”

I’m still learning to be sensitive enough to distinguish their different voices. Sometimes I even feel a bit of fear and trembling when speaking about it, as if it’s sacrilegious or a bit presumptuous. Yet I’ve also come to realize these 1:1 exchanges with each of the Godhead aren’t just for when we get to heaven. They want to be intimately known while we’re here on earth. This is part of the inheritance Jesus died to pay for. 

In January, I went to an inn for a God-getaway. Before leaving, a friend told me, “This is to be a special time with your heavenly Father.” I was somewhat surprised, but also excited by her words. While away, I heard these words in my mind: “Write the book.” I sensed I was to start copying the book of Ephesians verse by verse. I’d never done a whole book of the Bible like that before. I started with Chapter 1, and soon realized Paul was talking about God the Father throughout the entire chapter, relating what He intended to do for us through our union with Christ. 

Paul gave credit to God the Father for “bringing us to Himself through Jesus.” It is Father God, who blesses “us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.” It is our Father, who showers us with kindness, “along with all wisdom and understanding.” Paul emphasized Father’s love for us, His great power, His intent “to adopt us into His own family,” and how that gave Him “great pleasure.” Paul also shared how the Holy Spirit is our Father’s gift and guarantee to us. Paul even described himself as being unable to stop thanking and praying constantly to God the Father. 

Needless to say, this entire chapter inspired me to give more attention to God the Father and make myself more available to Him. Those words convinced me that if Paul knew and wrote so many details about each of the Godhead, and God is no respecter of persons, then Paul must want other followers of Jesus to know them individually too!

One of the ways I’ve encountered Jesus is by reading aloud the Beloved’s words to the Shulamite in Song of Solomon. I believe Jesus—my bridegroom—is speaking those words directly to me. I linger over His descriptions and quickly become overwhelmed with His tenderness and the depth of His unfailing love for me. I know He feels the same way about every man and woman who is part of His beloved bride. 

At other times, I’ve known Jesus as my Great Defender. Once in the midst of a small group of people who were worshipping in a home, unusual sounds began coming out of my mouth that were beyond my control. I soon sensed there was a literal battle raging inside me and that Jesus Himself was actively fighting on my behalf. As I lay still and surrendered, my perfect hero soon triumphed victoriously over a nameless enemy of my soul. I emerged totally undone, but absolutely free. This is our Jesus—not only a lover, but also a warrior who does not hesitate to fight for us.  

When I’m interacting with Holy Spirit, I can experience Him in a range of different ways. He can be as intense as the outflow of water Pastor Mark just showed us or child-like and fun-filled. He’s asked me questions about family members, “How do you know Jenna is telling you the truth?” He also taught me how to home-school my children and design curriculum. He was so good at it that I later became a teacher of teachers. 

Just this week, I awoke with a brief lyric and melody running through my head. I sang it aloud and later discovered through Google that it came from a 1936 movie—that I don’t recall ever seeing. 

“Nothing’s impossible, I have found 
For when my chin is on the ground
I pick myself up, dust myself off
Start all over again.” 

 I shared the song with someone I love, who needed to know it was time to start something new. With that type of divine encouragement, both of our spirits were lifted and filled with optimism.

Obviously, these types of interactions appear throughout the Bible. They’re intentionally designed to wet our appetite and increase our desire to experience similar divine encounters. From Genesis to Revelation, the Godhead has personal exchanges with humans that include wild and crazy times as well as quiet and still moments. Since God never changes, all of us who have accepted Jesus now have the same opportunity to hear, see, touch, taste, smell and know each of them. All it takes is a small step of faith.