Creating Space for God's Voice in Everyday Life

Dear friend, do you ever feel like God is quiet… but when you look at your life, you realize everything else is just really loud? I've been there. We live in a busy, noisy world. Our days are filled with work, errands, family responsibilities, phones buzzing, TV blaring – it's constant input. In the middle of all that, we're longing to hear God's gentle voice. The truth is, God hasn't stopped speaking, but we may need to create a bit of space to really listen. Just as you can't hear a whisper in a noisy room, our souls can't easily perceive God's whisper if our lives are jam-packed 24/7. Let's talk about how we can intentionally carve out space for God's voice in the day-to-day hustle.

The Noise That Drowns Out the Whisper

One thing I've noticed is that our culture highly values productivity and entertainment. If we have a free moment, we often fill it – maybe scrolling through social media or catching up on messages. Being still can almost feel uncomfortable or unproductive. But this constant noise can drown out the “still, small voice” of God (1 Kings 19:12). God usually isn't going to shout over the noise to get our attention; He often speaks in a gentle nudging, a quiet conviction, a subtle insight during prayer. If my schedule and mind are overloaded, I risk missing those.

There's a story in the Gospels about Jesus that inspires me: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed” (Mark 1:35). Jesus – who had the most important mission on earth – took time to get away from the crowds and even His closest friends to be alone with the Father. If Jesus needed that solitary space, how much more do we? Another time, He told His disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31). It's clear that rest and quiet were a rhythm of Jesus' life and something He wanted for His followers.

Yet, here we are in the 21st century, often running on fumes, burning the candle at both ends. We might give God a quick nod in the morning or a church service on Sunday, but many of us rarely experience true quiet with God in the everyday. I'll confess: I've gone through seasons where my life was so full of activity and noise that my heart felt distant from God, not because He moved, but because I didn't leave any room for Him. I woke up, grabbed my phone, rushed into the day, and by night I was too tired to pray more than a hurried, “Thank You, God, goodnight.” In those seasons, God's voice felt faint. Not surprisingly, I often felt more anxious and directionless.

The Gift of Making Room

What changed for me (and what I continually have to keep in check) was realizing that creating space for God is not a luxury – it's a necessity for a vibrant spiritual life. And it truly is a gift to ourselves when we do it. When we give God room, we actually give our souls room to breathe. We position ourselves to receive the guidance, comfort, and wisdom He's been offering all along.

My friend Amanda shared that she and her family have been learning to practice Sabbath – basically, a day of rest dedicated to the Lord – and it's been transforming how clearly she hears God. Now, Sabbath might look different for each person, but the core idea is setting aside your work and “have-tos” and spending that time in restful, rejuvenating activities that connect you with God and loved ones. She said something that struck me: “God can't come into a place where there's no space, and He won't come where He's not welcome. He has to be welcomed and He has to have space.” Wow. In other words, if we fill every inch of our lives with our own plans, noise, and busyness, we're effectively leaving God on the doorstep. Not that He can't break through – He's God – but He generally waits for an invitation and a bit of room to work with.

Think of your life like a garden. If every bit of soil is covered with bricks or weeds, there's no room for new flowers to grow. Creating space is like clearing a bit of that soil and saying, “God, plant what You want here.” It might feel countercultural because the world says every moment should be optimized, scheduled, utilized. But God's kingdom often operates on different principles: less is more, slow is better, quiet is golden.

Consider the principle of tithing our time. We often talk about tithing money – giving a portion back to God – but what about tithing our time for silence, prayer, and rest? When we do, it's amazing how God multiplies our sense of peace and even our productivity in the other hours. It's like that saying, “Less is more.” Doing less (and listening more) can actually result in more life, clarity, and even creativity. Amanda mentioned reading how Joanna Gaines (a well-known designer) and her husband make time for rest and how that's when their creativity really flows. It's so true spiritually: when we rest in God, we become more attuned to His creative guidance in our lives.

Clearing Out the Clutter (Internally and Externally)

Sometimes creating space for God's voice means we need to do a bit of spring cleaning in our lives. Just as you might declutter your home, it's worthwhile to declutter your schedule and even your mind. What are some things that might be cluttering up the “airwaves” between you and God?

Overpacked schedules: Are there commitments you can scale back? Maybe it's saying “no” to an extra project or activity so you can have one evening free for family or quiet. It might feel hard to let something go, but remember that every “yes” to something is a “no” to something else. Saying yes to constant busy means saying no to unhurried time with God. Pray about your calendar – you might be surprised that some things can be simplified.
Digital noise: This is a big one for many of us (raising my hand here!). Our phones and devices are incredible tools, but they also fill every spare second with information and distraction. Consider decluttering digitally: maybe uninstall an app that sucks your time or set specific periods in the day as “phone-free” zones. Even turning off unnecessary notifications can create a calmer mental space. If you're like me, the moment a notification dings, your mind gets pulled away. Reducing that helps you stay present and listen for God's gentle nudges throughout the day.
Mental clutter and worry: It's possible to be physically still but mentally racing with worries or to-do lists. One practice that helps is journaling. Take a few minutes to write out everything on your mind – tasks, concerns, random thoughts. Get it on paper. This is like cleaning out the junk drawer of your mind. Then you can more easily focus on what God might be saying. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us to turn our anxieties into prayers with thanksgiving, and God's peace will guard our hearts and minds. So in your quiet time, if worries intrude, don't shove them down – consciously hand them to God. “Lord, I give You this concern about my job. I release my family issue to You. Speak to me, guide me.” Offloading mental clutter into God's hands opens space in your heart to hear His assurances.
Physical environment: While not always possible, having a peaceful spot for time with God can help. Maybe a corner of your room or a chair by a window that you keep as a little sanctuary. Clear that space of distractions (keep a Bible, journal, maybe a candle or a cozy blanket there). When you go to that spot, your mind and body get the message: this is time to meet with God.

Remember, this isn't about creating a perfect environment or schedule – life can be messy and chaotic, and God can speak in the chaos too. But doing what we can to welcome Him through intentional stillness and decluttering shows God (and reminds us) that He is our priority. It's like preparing a guest room for a dear friend – you tidy up not to impress them, but to make them feel welcome in your home. In the same way, we “prepare Him room” in our lives.

Everyday Practices to Invite God's Voice

Creating space for God is not just a one-time thing; it's a lifestyle we can cultivate. Here are some practical everyday ways to do that:

Start with Quiet Time: Begin your day with God, even if it's just a few minutes. Before the emails and the noise, pause to pray and read a portion of Scripture. This doesn't have to be long or complicated. Some days my “quiet time” is 10 minutes with a cup of coffee, reading a psalm and asking God to speak through it. But those 10 minutes set the tone for my heart. When I skip it, I feel more scattered and less attuned to God's presence. Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33), and I've found that seeking Him first in my day helps me notice His voice throughout the rest of the day.
Weave Prayer into Routine: As you go about daily tasks, invite God in. Maybe when you shower, you talk to God or sing a worship song. During your commute, turn off the radio for a bit and have a conversation with God, or simply listen in silence and see what bubbles up in your spirit. While doing dishes or taking a walk, use that time to pray for people that come to mind. These little invitations turn mundane moments into holy pauses. They create mini-sanctuaries of space for God to speak or for you to become aware of Him.
Embrace a Weekly Sabbath or Rest Period: If a whole day is too difficult right now, start with a half-day or an evening where you intentionally set aside work and chores. Use that time to do things that draw you closer to God's heart: reading something inspiring, playing worship music, enjoying nature, having unrushed prayer. Guard that time – let others know you're “unavailable” for those hours if possible. Trust that when you honor God with rest, He will honor you with refreshed insight and energy. I remember feeling nervous the first time I tried to truly Sabbath (I kept thinking of all I should get done), but I was amazed at the peace that flooded my day and how the world didn't fall apart when I stepped back. In fact, I went back to work later with a clearer mind and stronger sense of God's companionship.
Limit the Hustle Culture Mentality: Our society glorifies the “grind” – you know, Rise and grind! mentality. There's value in hard work, but not when it becomes an idol. If we're always in hustle mode, we likely aren't in listening mode. Give yourself permission to not fill every moment with productivity. It's okay to just sit on the porch for 15 minutes doing nothing but enjoying God’s creation. It’s okay to have a chunk of your day that isn’t efficient by worldly standards but is eternally rich because you spent it with Jesus. You’ll find that those “inefficient” moments with God actually make the rest of your life more fruitful (just like a plant needs intervals of darkness and rest to grow).
Create Tech-Free Zones or Times: One simple idea is implementing a “no phone after X pm” rule for yourself, or “no devices at the dinner table,” etc. Use that screen-free time to talk with family or to read a devotional before bed. Or consider a day a month that you go on a mini retreat – maybe a hike or a visit to a quiet chapel – and leave your phone on silent. At first you might feel twitchy without the constant stimulation, but after a while, you’ll likely sense a deeper reconnection with God’s presence that all the scrolling can’t provide.
Listen to Worship and Spiritual Input: While silence is golden, sometimes we create space by filling the atmosphere with the right things. Playing worship music softly in the background can shift the environment of your home and heart. Listening to an audio Bible or a Christ-centered podcast while commuting can replace the chatter of news or entertainment with God’s truths. These are ways of inviting God’s voice to speak through music and teaching.
Be Present in the Moment: Lastly, practice just being present. When you’re with your kids, or sitting in your yard, or drinking that morning coffee, be all there. Thank God for that moment; ask Him to speak to you in it. Some of the most profound times I’ve heard God’s whisper were when I was fully present – noticing the sunset and hearing Him say to my heart, “I’m here, and I love you,” or fully engaged in listening to a friend and sensing God giving me just the right encouraging words to say. Presence invites God’s presence.

Living with a Holy Margin

What we’re really talking about is living with margin – a holy margin that gives God room to move. Think of a book: if words filled every inch of every page to the edges, it would be overwhelming and hard to read. The margins (the blank spaces around the text) actually make it readable and beautiful. In the same way, building margins into our life – little blanks in the busyness – makes our life more breathable and beautiful, and it gives space for God to write His notes in the margins, so to speak.

I know it’s not easy. We have jobs, families, responsibilities. We can’t all go live on a quiet mountaintop. But the amazing thing is that God’s voice isn’t limited to monasteries or silent retreats; He can speak in the kitchen, the office, the carpool line. The key is an attentive heart and some intentional rhythms of quiet. Even if you can’t control the external noise sometimes, you can cultivate an internal quiet – a heart that carries the peace of knowing God is near, a mind that’s trained to turn to Him throughout the day.

When you start creating this space consistently, don’t be surprised if you begin to notice God’s guidance in places you never did before. You might suddenly have a creative idea for a problem at work while you’re taking that quiet lunch walk. You might recall a Bible verse in the middle of a stressful meeting that steadies you. You might sense a prompting to pray for a friend and later find out that exact moment they needed it. These “God whispers” become more obvious to us when we’re not running ragged.

And most importantly, you’ll cultivate a deeper friendship with God. After all, hearing His voice isn’t just about getting direction for decisions – it’s about communion with Him. It’s about walking with Him through each day, attentive to His presence. God doesn’t just want to be an air traffic controller giving you commands; He wants to be a friend and Father sharing conversation with you. But we have to slow down enough to converse.

Challenge: Carve Out Space for God This Week

Let’s put this into practice. My challenge for you is to intentionally create one new “space” for God in your routine this week. Here are a few options to consider (pick one to try!):

Morning Margin: Get up 15 minutes earlier than usual (I know, ouch – but worth it!) to sit with God. Enjoy the quiet before the day’s chaos. Read a short Scripture passage and then just talk to God about your upcoming day. Listen in the silence for a couple of minutes and see if He brings anything to mind.
Commute Connection: If you have a drive to work or school drop-offs, designate that time (or part of it) as your prayer drive. No radio, no calls – just you chatting with God out loud or in your heart as you drive. Or alternate: some days pray, other days listen to an audio Bible or worship song and then drive in silence to reflect on it.
Media Fast: Pick one day to fast from social media/TV after a certain hour (let’s say after 7pm). Use the freed-up time to do a 10-minute devotional or to sit outside and pray about your day. Or have a spiritual conversation with your spouse or friend instead of scrolling.
Sabbath Snippet: If a full day is too much right now, give God a 3-4 hour window this week (perhaps Sunday afternoon or an evening you’re off). In that time, do things that draw you to Him and recharge you: take a nature walk and praise Him for creation, or curl up and read that Christian book you’ve been meaning to, or take a nap and then journal what’s on your heart to God (yes, rest itself is holy!). Treat those hours as an appointment with God – no work emails, no frantic errand-running. Just “waste” the time with Jesus like Mary sitting at His feet (Luke 10:39-42).
Prayer Pause: If your days are so packed you can’t find a big chunk, insert small pauses. Set an alarm on your phone for a couple of times in the day (maybe mid-morning and mid-afternoon) to just stop for 2-3 minutes. When it goes off, take a break from whatever you’re doing, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and say, “Speak, Lord, I’m listening” or “Thank You, Lord, for being here with me.” You might be surprised what those mini re-centering moments do for your spiritual sensitivity.

Write down which idea you’ll try, and treat it like a date with God – something sacred and non-negotiable. After you’ve done it, reflect: How did you feel? Did you notice a difference in your peace or awareness of God?

My prayer for you is that as you create these little pockets of silence and stillness, you will hear God’s voice more clearly than ever. It might not be earth-shattering revelations every day – often it’s the accumulation of many quiet moments that changes us. But I believe you will begin to recognize God’s presence in your every day – guiding, comforting, speaking – because He’s always been there, waiting for you to slow down and tune in.

God is so ready to meet with you, my friend. He promises, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). As you draw near by making space for Him, He’s going to show up. Your job is simply to show up too, with an open heart. Enjoy these sacred spaces with your Savior. His voice, full of love and wisdom, is something worth making room for – every single day. ❤️