Listening

Have you ever tried to listen to God? Listening is probably one of the hardest spiritual disciplines for us all. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to set aside some time to pray and listen and seek God's face for my time in Capricorn. With all the changes that have taken place in my time here (over the last year), I needed to sit and refresh my calling - be reminded what God is asking me to do and also be open to new things He's putting on my heart. 

There's no formula for listening. It's more of a practice than a task, and if you're one to be distracted easily, I suggest you try to listen in a variety of ways. Listening is not an instant conversation. Listening takes time; it cannot be rushed. Don't think you can set your clock for a 20 min devotion with the Lord and expect to hear fully. We can't show up to listen with deaf ears either. We must be willing to give it time and practice solitude and meditation.

In my listening-week:

I sat in silence. I sat in anticipation. 

I walked. I moved. I used my time to think. 

I watched the ocean; I sat in nature. I allowed God to guide my thoughts to what He wanted me to think about. 

I asked questions. I tried not to ask FOR anything, just asked God what He was thinking. 

I dug into scripture. I went back to passages that He had spoken through before. I claimed the promise that the Word is alive and active. I let the Word speak. 

I wrote down what I was thinking. I used journals and notecards. I wrote down anything that came to my mind. 

I deciphered my notes and my journalling. I tried to see if there were commonalities in anything I wrote - were there themes and repetitious thoughts? 

I asked myself questions. I asked myself about  my dreams, my hopes, my goals, my motives, my fears. I asked God about all these things too.  

I never heard an audible voice. I didn't have a conversation with God like I do a friend over the phone. But, when I allowed Him to use His scripture, my thoughts, interpretations, and feelings … these things spoke volumes. 

Francis Chan once called his listening time with God "prinking" because he was praying and thinking. I believe God uses our minds and thoughts for communication. I believe God turns our hearts and minds toward His desires when we're seeking Him. So, the things in your head and heart, if filtered by the Lord and Kingdom uses, will begin to speak God's desires for your life. 

I want listening ears and hearts for my readers and supporters this Christmas season. I want nothing but God's plans and will for you this coming year. I'm praying now as I write that God would shake you, refine you, and purify you so that your desires become straight from His heart. I pray that God will move in your life for greater purpose and greater selflessness in 2013. May you flee from the devil and his schemes and run to God and His purity of mind. 

Praying you take the time to sit with the Lord before 2013 begins and LISTEN for His heartbeat.