Listening for God

God has given me many gifts that have taken me a lifetime to find. Some I have managed to cultivate and grow. Some are still waiting for my full attentions. A few years ago I surrendered to God’s call to Women’s Ministry, and like so many eager to get started, I signed up for several things and answered fellow church members request to do this or that. But none of those “this” & “that’s” seemed to go anywhere. Now, three years later, my service direction is headed down a seemingly new path. What I didn’t know when I started down this path, was how many women’s lives were going to touch mine. In turn God blesses me with discernment, and the desire to grow those relationships. I’ve been through so much, both good and bad, in my life that my experiences seem to radiate from those women around me. I’ve felt what they feel, and I see it in their eyes, in their actions.

What I have the most trouble with is just listening and not giving advice. That’s what we do as women, we fix things, we fix relationships, we fix problems, we fix it all. Most of the time all these women want is someone to hear them, someone to listen. So that’s my goal…to try to listen…both to them and to what God is telling me. Sometimes the problem is obvious and the solution simple, but God says “Don’t speak”. Sometimes that person just comes to mind, and God says “Call her” or “Go say hello”. Sometimes He gives me words and I’m too scared to speak them. Sometimes a person crosses my mind so many times that I seek them out to find out what’s going on in their lives.

I used to ask “How do I know its God speaking to me?” That answer came over time with discipline and perseverance. If I’m reading the Word daily, and seeking His presence in prayer throughout my day, I don’t question. When I’m lagging behind and catching a scripture here and there, and prayer time is brief and far between, then I doubt myself constantly. So, yes, here comes the advice, but you’ve heard it before: read your Bible daily and pray with intent. Get into a Bible study, or start by reading one book in the Bible. Find one story from your childhood and study it. Then pray about what you read. "All Scripture is God-breathed..."2 Timothy 2:16 NIV

Do I get it right every time? NO! Do I always listen as well as I should? NO! Do I stumble over my self? Yes! Everyday! But we are not perfect. And unfortunately, as humans, part of the process of becoming like Christ, and listening to and using God’s words is making those mistakes and learning from them.

1 Peter 4:11 (New International Version)
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.


Check out Brandon Heath’s “Give Me Your Eyes” video http://www.brandonheath.net/updatesinfo.php?id=10