Are you listening? (reposted)

A few years ago, I spoke at a women’s retreat. The theme for the weekend was “Do you hear Jesus calling you?”. Jesus has been calling me for quite some time. At this event, I was able to share story after story of how God has spoken to me; from selling our home, leaving our community, then our church and lastly, selling my business to follow the dream of writing a book. By hearing, trusting and obeying God, me and my family have travelled a path we do not fully understand. But by being obedient to what God has called us to do, we were led to adventure after adventure, including publishing my first book The Me Disease; A Spiritual Journey from me to We. 

As I prepared the message for that particular weekend retreat, something incredible began to happen. This word emerged, as if desperately trying to get my attention. First, I noticed it while doing my Yoga with Adriene. Her theme of the day, “Listen“. As I allowed Adriene to lead me through the practice, I realized in order to listen or hear, I must first be quiet. Intrigued, I made a note to myself; “Be Quiet and LISTEN!”

Be quiet and LISTEN! 

While doing my devotions later that day, I was led to 1 Samuel 3:10-11 in the Message. It reads, “Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak. I’m your servant, ready to listen.” I asked myself, “Am I ready to listen?”

Then God said in verse 14, “Listen carefully.” In my mind, I heard, “Pay attention.” I began understand that I was being guided through a lesson in listening. Instantly, I remembered a blog I wrote sometime back about “Want to hear from God?” which talks about this same passage.

Soon after, we left for church service. On the way there, my husband was talking. I, however, was deep in thought, Noticing I wasn’t paying attention, he said, “Are you listening?”. I hadn’t heard a word he said. I wondered what I had missed and began to pay attention, listening to the remainder of his story.

At the retreat, the same messages were appearing, not only in my talk but in the other speakers’ words as well. It was as if God was saying, “Listen, I have something to tell you that will make your ears tingle.” It makes my ears tingle at the thought of God wanting to speak to me.

God does want to speak to us. Are you listening?

Are you quiet enough to hear God whisper in your ear? Pay attention. Start noticing all the ways God might be speaking to you. The amazing thing is, when God begins to speak into your life, everything changes.

I believe God is speaking to you. In fact, I believe God is speaking all the time. In nature, on billboards, through songs, definitely through other people and sometimes in that still small voice. I’ve heard it. I think you can hear it too.

Psalm 46:10 reads, “Be still, and know that I am God…”
1 Samuel 3:11 says, “See, I am about to do something…that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle.”

This week, I want to challenge you to find some time with God. Quiet yourself with prayer, meditation, your breath. Whatever it takes. Ask God to speak to you and then listen. Pay attention, write it down even. God will speak. I am confident of it. Be sure to leave me a comment below and let me know how God spoke to you. I’m excited to hear all about it. -M

Let us pray,

Father God, open our ears so that we may hear the words You long to speak to us. Quiet our minds so we can pay attention and actually hear You. Thank you that You speak to us everyday in many ways. Continue to speak into our lives and give us the confidence to trust and obey what we hear. In Jesus Name, Amen.