Listening for God

I get to write down my thoughts; I don’t have to write them down.  Some I am sure would rather I keep them to myself. Reading helps a person to broaden their perspective.  Seeing things can be entertaining, and sometimes, can prompt believing – at least that is what the proverbial saying suggests. Thomas said he would not believe unless he touched the hands and side of his LORD. So touch is a viable sense. Writing things down brings clarity to my thoughts at least for me.

Listening for God has been on my mind lately. I have come to the conclusion rightly or wrongly that how I hear God is more a matter of my preconceived ideas than God’s character or nature.  I believe this is true for our other senses as well but listening and hearing seem to have an emotional connection for me.

When you or I listen for God what do we hear?

Do you hear – don’t touch, don’t look, don’t taste, stop that, do this; rules that restrict –when you think of listening to God and those are the words you hear? If that is true for you, I would guess that is how you view God. Loud and foreboding… kind of like the T-Rex in the Movie Jurassic Park that was heard and felt before seen.  The sound of one gigantic foot fall, after the other. The intensity of the sound shaking the riders of the vehicle out of their security into coldblooded fear. . The danger that was sensed before it was seen. A god who is not personal or caring, a “cosmic killjoy” to quote others more experienced in these matters. The god of don’t.

Or possibly you hear the God of delight- Come and drink living water, come and eat the bread of life, taste and see that the Lord is good, come and see the Light of the World, come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest. The God who says:  ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Sometimes I think I hear condemnation where there isn’t any. I am listening to the wrong voice.  I remember Romans 8:1 (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

I want to remember to listen to the right voice. I need to listen to the voice of the gracious God who I seek to please because of His great love. I need to feel His Spirit connect with mine to set me free from sin and death – and don’t .

I want to listen to the wind in the trees, the crashing surf, the volume of the waterfall in Yosemite, the thunder over the mountains—The voice of God’s creation speaks loudly when I listen.

I Kings 19:11( KJV) And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

¹²And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

¹³And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

The still small voice does not have to compete to be heard. Listen to the right voice this week. Be encouraged, by the God of all Grace, the God of all Comfort, The God whose mercy is new every morning, the voice of Grace and Truth speaking the words of the Father.

Listen to the right voice

 Photo By astronomy_blog