What Do You Do When You Listen to God?
We've talked about listening to God and how to do that. But, here's a question. So, what do you do when we are listening to God? Are we doing anything?
The simplest is we should always be listening to God, even as we live.
Okay... What does that mean?
Most of the time we spend with God throughout our days and nights should be listening (and not talking or ignoring). So, that means the bulk of our time listening is as we carry on with life and do our normal life things: clean the house, cook, drive to work, work, watch TV, wait in line or for an appointment, eating and drinking, exercising, reading a book, etc. We should keep our minds and hearts turned toward Him and listen at all times.
We should also realize that when we read and study the Bible, in times of prayer, and during our quiet times, and the times devoted to be just God and us alone with no distraction, we should also listen. This is the time I recommend before we start, while in the middle of, and after doing anything of spending quiet time with God, we should have times when we aren't doing anything and listen to God.
During the quiet and alone time with God, I recommend not doing anything, but prayer journaling whatever He says. We may focus our thoughts by saying something from what we just read or studied, or a memory verse, or just, Lord, for example. Then, wait. When our minds wander, repeat one of those things. Bring our attention back to listening. I recommend doing this for at least ten minutes or so each time, if time allows.
There will be days you might not hear a single thing from God. That's okay. There may even be weeks and months when this happened, but trust me, if you are regularly in the Word, this is very, very rare. God will talk if we are in His Word. He speaks every time, for it is the Word of God, the Holy Bible.
But, if you don't hear anything from God, even after ten minutes or an hour, it's okay. Really. It's about being with Him. This matters more than anything.
There are days my husband and I don't say much to each other at times. Does this mean we love each other less? No. Not at all. It's quite the opposite actually. We are comfortable enough with one another, our love, and marriage that we don't have to fill the quite times with words or actions. It's just being present that means so much. These quiet times I think make our marriage because we are able to hang out together with no pressure. We are not filling it with noise.
It's the same with God. Do not fill the silences. It's okay if you aren't hearing anything. Seriously. Just be present. He is. I guarantee you will get far more out of these nothing times than some times when He or you are talking a great deal.
Silence is not bad. It's a lie we believe to think that this is the case. It's insecurity speaking as well. Be secure in your relationship with God, where there doesn't always have to be mindless, senseless conversation. There can be moments that are quite special where He and you give each other time. Time is the most precious gift we can give one another. Time is saying to one another, you're important and matter to me. Words and actions do not always convey this.
I also recommend having once a week where you have an hour or more where you do not do anything but listen to God. And, once a quarter, spend at least half a day in silence with God. Then, once a year, spend a day or more in silence.
All of that may sound extreme. Hours with God--just listening? Isn't this a waste of precious time?
Tell me something. Who is the most important one you should ever listen to?
How can you hear God if you're always busy?
In the noise of this world, which surrounds us, it's hard to hear God. We need to be intentional about this.
Also, can we listen to God while we listen to music? Of course. If it brings us to worship, you bet. I recommend doing this each week as well. I even recommend having intentional time of this, along with listening to sermons as well.
But, it's the silent times I recommend most. Sneak them in in segments throughout your day. It will bless you. God and you will develop a closer relationship. Your life will also transform.
At first, listening to God in the silence is awkward at best. But, don't give up. Keep doing it. In time, it gets easier. Practice makes it easier and more rewarding. Hang in there. Don't give up. And, don't fill the silences. Listen. Hang out with God if nothing else. Just be there--as He is. Enjoy one another's company.
Can you think of anything more important or rewarding in your life?
Enjoy God. That's what listening is.
(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2010-2014.)
