Hearing God’s Will (Learning to Listen)

Along the way I’ve discovered that listening is most effective when we are able to endure the long silence that comes before deep revelations.

I spent most of my life frustrated by God's profound silence. I cried out asking Him to speak to me, to show me His way. But the truth is I wasn’t listening.

One day, while riding my bike to work and praying, all the normal distractions were set aside. It was just me, God, and the whispering wind, and I finally heard it. Of course it wasn’t an audible voice. Instead it was a silent whisper to my heart. And at that moment I knew a peace like I’d never known. I knew God had plans for me. That morning I turned my day over to Him, and the next day, and the next…

After I finally started listening, God showed me His will in many ways. I slowly began to recognize His voice in other areas of my life. Sometimes I heard His voice in a song on the radio, sometimes in the words of a friend, sometimes in a quieting of my soul. Once I began to listen, I recognized His voice, and it constantly surrounded me.

So join me on my joyful journey as I continue to listen for God’s voice allowing His Word to saturate my soul until I know Him so well that, like a friend, I immediately recognize His sweet voice.   

Naked and Vulnerable (Thoughts from the Pot): Learning only happens when we are silent—when we honestly listen.

Between the Blogs (Poetry By Trena)

TEACH ME HOW TO LISTEN

My despondent cries spew into darkness

My frantic voice vanishes into a vast void

Silent screams echo through my aching soul

Deep doubts reverberate in my trembling heart

Are You there?

Are You listening?

Do You hear me?

A myriad of haunting questions plague my troubled mind

The world offers only empty solutions

Countless lips roar disjointed answers

Jumbled messages engulf my weary ears

You are lost in the deafening chaos

In despair I cry out a wretched prayer for guidance

I yearn for the clamor to be silenced

I strain to hear Your still, small voice

Have I forgotten how to listen?

Your unmistakable words speak clearly to others

Your truth eagerly resonates in their listening ears

Does my frenzied, hectic life silence Your voice?

Maybe, I don’t know how to listen

I cry out in anguish

My throat is raw from mournful wailings

Do the screams of my heart drown You out?

Why can’t I hear You?

Even the animals hear and obey You

Yet I don’t recognize the sound of Your voice

You thunder in the darkness as I slumber

I rail against my sleeping ears

I long to know Your plan for my life

I call out to You in desperation

Teach me to be still and know You are God

Teach me how to listen

Copyright © 2008 Randy & Trena Reed

Between the Blogs

Quick Quote: Hearing God’s voice requires clear, intentional listening. ~Randy R. Reed

Between the Blogs

Question to Ponder: Do you spending time intentionally listening to God?

Dimming the Din (Seeking the Silence)

Along the way I’ve spent many hours in deep contemplation of God, the mysteries of eternity, the deep, fathomless universe, and the whispers of an all-powerful Creator to the hearts of His children.

I used to hear people talking about their conversations with God, the certainty of His leading in their lives, and the deep impressions they received from the Holy Spirit; and I would wonder why not me?  Why is His voice silent? Why doesn’t God speak to me? Why can’t I hear Him?

In my despair, I cried out to God, begging, pleading, demanding that He speak to me. Yet, only silence greeted my ranting—a deep silence that seemed to mock me. Instead of living patiently in the silence, I turned back to the deafening sounds of this world: the radio, the phone, the television, the computer…and I wondered why God didn’t answer my desperate pleas.

I discovered that the tangled jungle of my mind did not allow silence; its constant murmurings drowned out God’s still, small voice.  I had to learn to turn from the deafening shouts of a desperate world and allow deep silence to enfold me. Only then was I finally able hear the Holy Spirit whispering to my silent soul.

So join me on this joyful and peaceful journey as God teaches me patience and a profound appreciation for the deep, satisfying silence—the silence where heaven touches earth.

Naked and Vulnerable (Thoughts from the Pot): God’s voice can best be heard when we are absolutely still; when we quiet our souls completely and listen intently to the deep silence.

Between the Blogs

Bible Blessings: Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. ~1 Corinthians 13:13 (Randy Reed Paraphrased Version)

Between the Blogs

Bible Blessings: Today I know next to nothing of God’s amazing love for me, but in heaven I will know and love Him completely, just as He has known and loved me all along. ~1 Corinthians 13:12b (Randy Reed Paraphrased Version)