These days, when I hear someone say “God spoke to me,” my first reaction is to cringe. Just being honest here, but I have seen too many people say they have received directions from The Almighty and then try to use those directions to manipulate. Sure, I do believe that God speaks to those who want to listen but I think it might happen in surprising ways and the results are usually profound if not mysterious. In the first few moments of this trailer, former pastor and onetime Christian Right operative Ed Dobson says that God spoke to him and I believe him.

I had a friend of who died of ALS a few years ago. It was a slow and painful process. He kept an online journal that described his experiences in detail. Those of us reading felt like we were getting a rare glimpse of something very bittersweet and special. In my observance, many people who are in Ed’s position experience a clarity that is hard for the rest of us to obtain. The hearing becomes acute, the sight becomes keen. The themes are usually the same: a distillation, a refocusing…a sudden insight as to what is really important and what is peripheral.

Ed used to speak in front of thousands at a time. We would have said he was a man of great influence. He says now that spending time with people one on one is far more important. We would say that Ed was at the top of his game when he was struck down. He says now that he was blinded but now his sight his clear. We would say that Ed had purpose and was accomplishing big things. He says now that the things that compelled him were only distractions. There are some huge lessons here.

It takes a lot of courage and humility to have the attitude of Ed Dobson. Two attributes you would expect from someone who actually has heard from God.

Check out Ed's story here.