Listening
I’ve been in preparation mode for an Elder Team retreat that we’re having this weekend. As I have been reading, praying, and studying, one thing that I’ve come to realize is the necessity of my heart to be in a posture of listening. I need to be listening as I read, listening as I pray, and listening as I study.
Now, I know that we all listen. In fact, I think that we’re listening all the time. I’m actually listening to a worship song (You are My King) as I’m writing this. I listen to my wife, I listen to my kids, I listen to my friends, I listen to the news, I listen to my Facebook timeline, I listen to my Twitter feed… I think you get my point. We’re always listening to something or someone. But, how attentive are we to God’s voice? How intentional are we of sitting and listening to Him? And, how are doing at living out what we’re hearing?
I remember when I was a kid, my mom would tell me to do something (mostly cleaning up my room) and I would quickly respond with an, “ok!” About 10 minutes later, she would have to tell me the same thing over again. This would happen a few times before I actually ‘listened’ and cleaned my room. I feel like this is how we are with God sometimes. We hear, but we don’t always listen. And, a lot of times, it’s because our attention is elsewhere.
I want to encourage you to carve out some time to sit still and listen to God’s voice. I want to encourage you to make His voice the priority in your lives. I want to also challenge you to respond to His voice in action and obedience.
I believe that listening to God can change us to change the world!!!
