Holly created this wonderful opportunity to connect with others on our spiritual journeys. Spiritual Journey Thursdays are a time to slow down, think deeper, dig deeper, reflect on my journey with God, and learn by connecting with God and other God followers. Join me and others as we travel on this journey each Thursday with Holly and friends. This week we are writing about Carol Varselona's One Little Word: Listen.
Listening is hard.
Especially if I want to pay attention to what I am listening to. I can sort of listen to you very easily while still doing something else. I can correct papers while listening to music or the news on television. I can listen to you on the phone while I am reading my e-mail on the computer.
Listening to God? What would God think if I were to read my e-mails at the same time as I am trying to listen to what He has to say to me? Could/Should I knit while I am listening to Him?
What are the rules about listening to God?
Does God speak only in absolute quietness? Or does He embrace noise and chaos? Do I have to sit or stand to listen to God? Can I lay down? What time of the day is it best to listen to Him? Do I have to go through rituals before I am worthy to even approach Him with the intention of listening?
Maybe there are rules; I am not sure. But what I am sure of is that God loves it when we approach Him with willingness to listen. He loves to spend time with us. He is my friend! He will listen to me. He has said so.
"I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!" -Isaiah 65:24-
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jer. 29:11-13
God has promised to listen to me! How awesome is that! The God of the universe has promised to listen to me! I can be confident when I approach Him. He will keep His promise. He will listen. Now I only have to work on my part. Perhaps this week I will take an extra few minutes and try just to listen. God just might surprise me and tell me secret! Wouldn't you want to hear this secret?
"Be still and know that I am God." We need to stop the noise of other stuff. We need to take the time to be still. We need to take the time to know.
ReplyDeleteJaana, your thoughts about double dipping when we are supposed to be listening to God were right on target. How many times do I do two things at once when I am supposed to be concentrating and listening. You caused me to pause and ponder before I go to sleep. Thank you for your words.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am terribly guilty of multitasking while "listening" to others. This week, I've been getting lots of messages about God's love - in these posts, at church, in my Wednesday night Bible study, in my devotions, the book I'm listening to. God is trying to tell me He loves and cherishes me. The least I can do is stop whatever else I'm doing and listen! Thank you, Jaana, for your questions and insights!
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