God Speaks, But Am I Listening?

I often equate listening to God with silence. But that’s not an easy task. At my home, I can usually count on silence to be pierced from the dog next door, the ever-present highway noise that rumbles a half-mile away, or neighbors that always have to speak a few decibels higher than necessary.

A walk in the woods offers moments of quietness, but still my own feet crush the ground and my jacket crumples in the crisp air. A tranquil moment on the ocean shore is replete with the frothy tide, gulls in the air, and crackling sand.

Even an escape to the mountains doesn’t bring the requisite quiet. Nature, still reeling from the Fall, is full of sounds of decay. Trees crack and sway with the wind. Rivers tumble pebbles down the waterway, carving out pathways.

And even when I do find an escape, I can never really run from the noise of my mind. Internally my spirit shouts with selfish desire and my flesh moans in complaint. At times, there is no clear escape from that spiritual noise pollution. The distractions of life seem to edge out the voice of God.

Photo by Lisa

But maybe I’m listening for God in all the wrong places. When He told Moses that He would raise up a line of prophets to speak His word, it’s because they weren’t listening. They had seen his wonders first-hand — the Red Sea parting, the morning manna, and the finger chiseled commandments. And yet, they seemed to miss the obvious.

For generations after Moses, a prophet would rise and proclaim, “Thus says the Lord.” Did they always listen?

The final prophet in this plan was Jesus. And His word – once we allow it room in our hearts – is loud and clear. I really don’t need a quiet place. I don’t need a monastic retreat. I don’t need a cone of silence to protect me from the world. I can carve out just a moment, seek Him out, and He will speak the prophetic voice.

This Lenten season, may you purposefully carve time with Him just to listen – to hear His voice. It can be in a noisy stadium. It can be in the break room at work. It can be on the rumbling commuter train. But stand for just a moment and ask for Him to speak – and then listen.

Please, share with a friend if you feel moved.
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