God is Speaking, Are You Listening?

The other day I realized I was spiritually exhausted and feeling starved. I felt like the writer of Psalm 42:1 who declared, “As the deer pants for water, so I long for you, O God.” I was longing but feeling helpless and empty. Each morning I start the day preparing to meet with God and to fill up my spirit. The mornings are quiet. I love the stillness of my home. It is my time to replenish and listen to God. But sometimes I am hard of hearing. God is speaking, but am I listening?” Listening means being attentive, being quiet, and being patient. We live in a noisy, loud, and messy world that seems to be changing daily. It is not easy for me to stop and listen with intention.

Usually, my first response to spiritual hunger is, “What did I miss? Did I do something wrong? How quickly can I get back on track? What’s the best plan? I will pray more. I will read scripture more, and serve more. I need a plan. After all, I have lots to do. Is there a shortcut?” This approach must amuse God. His plan is simple. His plan is “be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) His plan is “Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)

Waiting is hard. But in the waiting, I make space to listen, to hear, and to be changed. In the waiting, there is an opportunity for the junk food of my spirit to be revealed and hopefully discarded. It is the time for transforming and renewing my mind. It is a time to rest in God’s presence without the noise and business of the world. Jesus understood the need to be alone with His Father. In silence, my deep need for God’s presence is revealed. Often, I find myself crying. This always surprises me.

Why Do You Have To Be Still?

In the stillness, I am reminded it is not in the doing for God, it is in the being with God where my spirit is fed and renewed. In the waiting, I come face to face with my need for God’s rest: to rest in His arms, to rest in His love, to rest in His strength, to rest in His peace, to rest in His tender care, to rest in His forgiveness.

In the waiting, I hear the truth that the answer lies not in what I must do, but refocuses my mind and spirit on what my Lord has already done.

In the quiet waiting, He reminds me:

My peace I give you,

My rest I give you,

My grace I give you,

My living water I give you,

My joy I give you,

My strength I give you,

My forgiveness I give you,

My love I give you,

I gave my LIFE for you!! Will I not give you all you need?

Each time I realign my focus from myself to God, I am refreshed. Each time I am sure I won’t need reminding again. But of course, I do need reminding. This is the day to day, moment to moment, ebb, and flow of life in Christ. Our heavenly Father knows this about us. It is why from Genesis to Revelation, He says, “tell your children and your children’s children of my wondrous work,” “remember these things,” “do this in remembrance of me,” and “practice these things.” Then we do forget, and He reminds us again. “You are my beloved child. Rest in me. Let Me carry your burden. Let not your heart be troubled.”

Rest in the truth of God’s abiding and unconditional love for you, His beloved.

Blessings,

Personal Parables is the blog of Dyann Shepard. Get Dyann’s complementary study in Proverbs and prayer guide, What to Do When You Don’t Feel Good Enough. If you need encouragement to remember the truth about yourself in times of doubt and anxiety, this free 5-day study is for you. Follow Dyann and Personal Parables on Instagram and Facebook. Dyann is available for speaking, guest blogging, and article writing.

Scripture for Meditation

Enjoy my post titled, God is Speaking, Are You Listening? To encourage you, here are passages for your meditation.

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2:8, 9 – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

II Corinthians 12:9 – But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 4:19 – We love because He first loved us.

1 John 4:16 – So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Matthew 6:31-32 – Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

Matthew 7:11 – If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Luke 12:24 – Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!