Showing posts with label listening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label listening. Show all posts

Monday, February 2, 2009

ARE YOU LISTENING?


As a child growing up in Pennsylvania, I loved to play outside in the neighborhood - riding my bike, playing marbles, jumping rope, building forts in the trees. It was the fresh air, sunshine and freedom that called me to the out-of doors.

Yet my ears were always listening for my Dad’s whistle. Wherever I was, whatever I was doing, if I heard my Dad’s whistle, I came running. You see, my Dad was known for his beautiful, melodious whistle. During the war, my mother would know when he arrived home on leave, walking up the street toward home - because of his joyous whistle.

After my Mom and Dad had children, he created a whistle for each of us children so we would know who he was calling. Thus, no matter what we were doing, if we heard our father’s whistle for us, we’d run to him, eager to discover what he wanted.

How about you - do you, no matter what you are doing, have your ears open to the Father’s call to you? Is your heart open to His very own special ways which He uses to get your attention? When you hear Him calling, do you run with obedient feet to discover what He has to say to you?

“…when I called, no one answered, when I spoke they did not listen.”
Isaiah 66:4

This is such a sad picture, to me, of a God who is calling, wanting to communicate with us…and He is ignored.

Instead, let us say, “Your principles have been the music of my life throughout the years of my pilgrimage.” Psalm 119:54


Heavenly Father, I need to attune my heart to Yours. I long to hear what you have to say to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Monday, December 29, 2008

LISTENING IS ACTION

It was the middle of winter, dark and bitterly cold that particular Friday night. The person who would normally unlock the door to the building where we held our weekly Bible study had forgotten. We had to find an alternative place to meet - quickly!

Suggestions were made, many discarded. The only logical possibility was to drive to the nearest mall and meet in the food court. Perfect, we thought, until we arrived at the site and heard the loud carousel music which infiltrated every square inch of space throughout that area of the mall.

Having no choice in the matter, we decided to go ahead with our plan, straining desperately to hear each other above the loud music. Prayer requests were shared but, in order to hear, we had to block out all other noise. As Scripture verses were discussed - we listened intently. It became quite apparent to us that listening is not a passive activity, but one in which we must consciously block out all other “noise” in the world in order to hear God’s voice.

How thankful we should be that God doesn’t try to yell over all of the noise of the world but speaks quietly in the stillness of our hearts. Now, if we will only listen!

. . . speak, for thy servant hears. I Samuel 3:10

Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking to me daily. Please help me to quiet my heart to hear You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.