you a good listener?

I have great difficulty being a good listener. I admire those who can patiently listen, reflect for a moment, and then offer a careful response. It is especially difficult to be a good listener to God who does not shout His advice to us. His is a quiet voice stirring deep within our soul. If we do all of the talking we just might miss Him altogether. When praying it would be wise to consider the advice of Frank Laubach:

“The trouble with nearly everybody who prays is that he says ‘Amen’ and runs away before God has a chance to reply.
Listening to God is far more important than giving Him your ideas.”
… Frank Laubach (1884-1970)

It is often hard to find a quiet time in today’s society. Nonetheless it is worth the effort to find some time and a place to be completely alone. No TV., no screaming kids, no talkative spouse, no phones, just quiet. You and God quietly spending quality time together. Offer your prayers and then spend some time listening. Clear your mind of all of your hassles and worries. Concentrate on listening to God. His form of communication is different than any we will encounter in this world. He wants us to “seek” him! He wants us to put aside our thoughts, to seek His righteousness, and have “faith” that He will do as He has promised, so He can shower us with mercy and grace. We may not understand God, but those who effectively communicate with Him, receive peace “that surpasses all understanding” while still living in a world that is anything but peaceful. Take a moment right now and consider how you can find a quiet time and a quiet place, free of distractions to converse with God. Chances are in this crazy jet-set world that it will not be easy, but I can assure you it is worth the effort.

____________________________
Isaiah 55:6
Seek the Lord while He may
be found.
Call upon Him while He is
near.
Let the wicked forsake his
way,
And the unrighteous man
his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on
him;
And to our God,
for He will abundantly pardon.

“For My thoughts are not your
thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,”
says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher
than the earth,
So are My ways higher than
your ways,
And My thoughts than your
thoughts.”