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June/July, 2006 Bible Mini-Study
Listening to God
God wants us to live a unique and wonderful quality of life in fellowship with Him. Jesus called it “eternal life.” When praying to His Father, Jesus described how we can enjoy this life now and into eternity.
“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3
How do we get to know others? By listening to them.
The best way to know God is to listen to Him in times of prayer and when reflecting on the Scriptures. Unfortunately, most of our prayers are requests and we don’t take time to listen to what God has to say to us. Speaking and listening are the two necessary parts of all conversation. At the beginning of any new friendship many of us talk too much. But, if we learn to listen, this will change. It is like other talents, it must be developed, and it will take practice.
God rarely speaks audibly. In most of nature, God declares Himself in infinite silence. He will make Himself known to us in times of silence. In the book of Revelation we learn that, in reverence to God, the angels dwelt in a holy silence in heaven.
For many, noise seems so much the norm in life that silence is disturbing. Even when we are in a silent room, we notice an inner noise beginning. We entertain thoughts of the past or things we need to do in the future. Our minds wander and it is difficult to train them to be still. The key to stillness is to ask the Holy Spirit (and we may have to ask more than once) to clear our thinking and help us be still and receptive to God.
God speaks to us primarily through what some prefer to call the inner voice. He reveals words, numbers or pictures that can be grasped and applied to us personally or to circumstances. No audible voice speaks, our ears do not hear, but inner perceptions bring flashes of wisdom or warning as well as compelling feelings that we are to act.
Jesus said that He spoke only what He heard His Father saying (through His inner ear) or what He saw His Father doing (through His inner eye). John 5:19, 8:28, 14:10 Just as it was the Father living in Jesus who was doing His work; it is Jesus dwelling in us who is doing His work. We are to grow in our sensitivity to grasp with our inner ears and eyes what Jesus is saying or doing -- or what He wants to do -- so we can follow His guidance.
We listen to God through three different parts of our persons: our emotions, minds and wills. When our emotions are impacted by God, we feel His peace, love or protection. Our emotions can also be impressed by His energy flowing through our spirits. Or we may feel a profound humility, a wondrous gratitude or a heightened desire to serve that vitalizes our personality.
We also listen to God through our minds. He illuminates them with His insight. This is different from a hunch or intuition. God gives us a new way of seeing people and possibilities. It is similar to the flashes of inspiration which are given to artists, philosophers and scientists in moments of supreme creativity. Mozart once described how an entire symphony would rush into his mind. God gives us creative perception not available on the human level.
Finally, we listen to God and our wills are activated. These inner perceptions bring compelling feelings that we are to act in a certain way or not to act as we had planned.
Just as there is no such thing as a ‘method’ of correct prayer, there is no particular method of drawing close to God and listening to Him. Because each of us is unique, we will find different ways that are appealing to us. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and will guide us in the way that is best for us.
It is a time to be still and know that we are with God, allow Him to love us and let our love for Him flow out in return. We are not to be half-hearted about our desire to be with Him. We are to eagerly make ourselves available to God in solitude and silence.
We have to be careful about listening in prayer. If our motives are selfish or we are impulsive, we cannot be certain we are receiving God’s guidance. Our stubborn desires stifle His quiet voice and we misunderstand His gentle promptings. Especially if we need guidance about an important issue, it is best if we seek confirmation of our inner perceptions. This can come in times of worship, while reading the Scriptures, from a striking circumstance, or buy sharing with a mature Christian friend, counselor or clergy.
My prayers usually begin with sharing my feelings -- words of thanksgiving and love as well as cries for help. These give way in time to a more silent communion. I can be certain that God is pleased when I simply want to be with Him because I love Him.
I am best able to listen to God when I am comfortable with solitude and silence, so everything depends on how I greet these. If I can’t wait until it is over so I can get back to my busy life, it will not seem like a privilege and it will not be fruitful. My motive is to be basking in God, not grasping for what He can give me.
If I have distracting thoughts, I accept them and ask the Holy Spirit to clear my mind. Sometimes I have to ask several times before my mind slows down and is free of its clutter. My goal is just to be, not trying to accomplish anything, but giving Him permission to love me in the way He chooses. The closer love draws two people together, the more meaningful silence between them becomes. It is uniquely intimate to be with another in profound silence.
Sometimes it is difficult for me to welcome solitude and silence because my undisciplined self wants to pray in order to get something rather than surrender to the Giver. Surrender means submitting to the unknown and this means giving up feelings of control. But feelings of control are really an illusion. My life is never completely under my control. The only true control comes from my surrender to a loving, powerful God who created me for a purpose and is pleased to bless me.
“Glory be to God who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than
we would ever dare to ask or even dream of--infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires,
thoughts, or hopes.” Ephesians 3:20 LB
Most of us are accustomed to praying about the past or the future. We forget that the present moment is where we meet God. We are to devote the present completely to Him, resting our past with Him and leaving the future in His hands. Satisfied with the present moment, we are not to have any thought for what that moment should hold. We cease from any effort except opening ourselves to God.
“I will lead her into solitude, and there I will speak to her heart.”
Hosea 2:14
I know that, from time to time, God will ask me to surrender my own desires and be willing to do what He wants me to do. These times of acceptance and conversion in the stillness of my heart I call my garden of solitude, for this is where I truly grow.
This silent union is an exquisite harmony between our spirits and the Spirit of God. It is an inward crucifixion -- dying to our selfishness and our need to be in control and waiting upon the Lord in childlike dependency and trust. The door to new life opens wider with each surrender!
Silence and surrender to God is not a passive occupation but a highly creative activity.
Suggestions for Prayer-Listening
Heavenly Father, is there some way I need to re-order my life in order to spend time more time with you?
Is there a special time and place that you want me to be with you in solitude and silence?
Suggestion for Meditation
God is challenging us to incorporate five treasures into our daily living. Reflect on these and tell God how you feel about each one. Then listen to what He is saying to you regarding them.
Simplify
Solitude
Silence
Stillness
Surrender
Encouragement for Ministry Leaders
We are to be like quiet pools in gardens where God can infuse us with Himself. In each encounter, God will share Himself when we are willing to receive. It is a great inner, spiritual adventure where God prepares us for life and ministry and guides us into opportunities. There will always be a certain amount of mystery in these meetings. Many of the teachings of Jesus have hidden meaning — hidden so that only those who really want to know will discover the mystery.
Heavenly Father, help us to welcome solitude and silence and enable us
to receive your love and love you in return. Increase in us the ability to hear
your still, small voice. We praise you for your faithfulness to guide us and help
us bring glory to you. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.