Luke 3:21–22 + The Inner Voice of Love by Henri Nouwen

In a world that rarely slows down, God invites us to be still. In this first season of Be Still: A Walking with Purpose Podcast, Lisa Brenninkmeyer explores six Scriptures that teach us how to stop striving, quiet our hearts, and trust Him in the middle of real life. Through the wisdom of the Bible and the companionship of great books, we’ll discover how God gently holds us steady and invites us to be still—right where we are.

There are moments when nothing is obviously wrong—and yet something feels off.
You feel disconnected. Unsteady. Not quite like yourself.

In this episode of Be Still, Lisa reflects on Luke 3 alongside Henri Nouwen’s The Inner Voice of Love, a deeply personal journal written in a season of profound interior struggle. Together, they offer a steadying truth: when we lose our sense of self, it is often because we have drifted from the voice that tells us who we are.

What voices are shaping the way you see yourself?
Where are you looking to secure your identity?
What would it mean to return to the voice that calls you beloved?

In this episode we explore how to:

• Recognize the competing voices within us—and gently return to the truth
• Receive identity as a gift from God, not something to earn or prove
• Distinguish between achievement and fruitfulness
• Stand firm in moments of pain, rather than collapsing into striving or despair
• Listen for the quiet, steady voice of God in the midst of inner noise

God does not steady us by demanding more from us.
He steadies us by reminding us who we are.

Journaling Questions

1. What voices have I been listening to lately, and what have they been telling me about who I am?
2. Where in my life am I trying to secure my identity through achievement, approval, or control?
3. If I place myself before God right now, what do I sense Him speaking over me?

Key Scripture
Luke 3:21–22. After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Show Mention
Lisa Brenninkmeyer, Walking with Purpose, Rest: 31 Days of Peace
Lisa Brenninkmeyer, Walking with Purpose, Fearless and Free

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