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Listen: God is calling
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AP Photo/Chuck Burton
'My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me.' -John 10:27 (NIV)
We've all heard God's voice in one way or another...still and small, surprisingly loud, etc. Now what? I say, let's grab some q-tips, unclog our ears and get ready to listen up! Alright, no need to take extreme measures here (although, good hygiene is always a plus!) but we should be ready to keep listening for God once we've heard His voice. Not only should we keep listening, we should become even more communicative with God than we have been in the past. Oh, and we should feel pretty excited, too- because God reveals awesome things to us when He talks and we listen.
No, it's not Avon calling...it's God. Like an Avon representative might knock on our front door, God knocks on our hearts. When we feel that gentle knocking, we either become intrigued and want to learn more or we run and hide, pretending no one's home. It can be difficult to really zero in and focus on hearing God, especially when we are faced with doubt and distraction after distraction all day long. Start with trust- it will be much easier to hear God, and fully listen to Him when He has all of your trust. I know that we live in a world where we feel like we always have to be guarded, because...well, who can we really trust? If there is one being we can trust one hundred percent, it's God. Our heavenly Father can handle our doubt and our fear, so let's just give all of that to Him when we feel it coming on. Next, we need to find some to spend with God on a private, personal level. I won't lie- we won't always be able to pull ourselves away from our distractions, but we desperately need to try to hear God in the midst of chaos. Our lives don't slow down and I doubt they'll ever be any less complicated and confusing, but don't worry- God never leaves us. Our God is ready to talk to us when we're ready to listen, and He's ready to listen when we're ready to talk to Him.
Talk back to God...He can take it. Once we learn how to listen for God and hear what He has to say, we should be ready to become chatty Cathy. What I mean is this- when God reveals something to us, we're not always going to like what He has to say, and He knows that. God is ready for our questions, so we should definitely ask them. Don't despair when you receive answers, just remember to trust God with your heart, mind and soul- He knows the plans He has for us, friends.
Quick story- When my husband was accepted into grad school in Maryland, leaving North Carolina was not what I wanted. We had a life there- family, friends, jobs, a church we both grew up in and still love so deeply...I just couldn't imagine my daily life without all of that. I think I talked to God so much during that transition that I started to wonder if I was bothering Him. Silly thought. It took months before I finally said, 'Well God, it looks like we're really doing this. I'm terrified. Are we making the right decision?' A few days went by and when I was up to my elbows in packing tape and boxes, I heard God's voice saying, 'Go, child. Your concerns are have not gone unheard. It will be difficult, but I will take care of you.' That might be the very clearest I have ever heard God's voice...and boy am I glad I was listening. I never questioned our move again after that. He knows the plans He has for me and my husband, and we willingly listen and follow His lead.
Friends, I hope you'll do the same. Listening to God and following the path He has chosen for us can be unsettling, but we can trust that it will be very rewarding. God has amazing things planned for each one of us, and that's something to get excited about. Listen...God is calling, inviting us through His Word, singing over us. God is ready to talk, to listen, to guide, to restore and to renew...are you listening?
'For I know the plans I have for You', declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' -Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
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