Listening for God's Voice

"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding."
Job 37:5 NIV

"So, as the Holy Spirit says,"Today, if you hear God's voice, do not harden your hearts..." Hebrews 3:7-8

"Drop everything and listen, listen as He speaks: don't turn a deaf ear..."
Psalm 95:7 The Message

Listening for God's voice does not seem to be an easy thing to do. There are so many noises and distractions in my world, that quiet seems to be an unattainable luxury. I hear conversation, the television, music, shouts of "Mo-o-o-m", the background noise of everyday life. How can I hear God through all of that?

Luckily God is creative at catching my attention: His voice thunders in marvelous ways. He may bring a piece of Scripture to mind, or point it out in a reading I am doing: today it was the phrase "if today you hear God's voice, harden not your hearts". I ask myself: how is my heart hardened? with busyness, tiredness, a focus on self, attention paid to the distractions rather than the priorities...just to name a few!

Sometimes the Holy Spirit speaks to me...when I hear that still small voice, or notice a pattern or lesson that keeps coming up in my life. I think the Holy Spirit has been using the new-to-me challenge of learning to run, as a way to teach me. Lately, the message has been : SLOW DOWN and STAY CONSISTENT. Only when I slowed my pace (I am starting to question whether I am related to the turtle!) was I able to run as far and as long as I wanted to. And if I skip a day or two or a few of exercising, it is easy to get off track and lose a lot of the progress I've made. How do you think this might apply to my life in faith? I can see quite a few similarities....

God's voice is also heard through my Christian friends. They encourage me, uplift me, give me food for thought, and help me to "slow down and stay consistent" in my life of faith. A lunch date, a comment on Facebook, a telephone chat, who knows what means God may be using to catch your attention and help you to hear His voice....

Lord, help me to drop everything, and listen as You speak. Help me to notice the big and small ways You are trying to get my attention and to teach me. Soften my heart, open my mind and unplug my ears so that your message will stay and take root in my heart. I know and believe that You are doing great things beyond my understanding. I give thanks to You and praise Your holy name. Amen

More Healing Word of God: Isaiah 28:23; John 10:27