Are You Listening?

I ask this question of myself a hundred times a week it seems. I often find myself in situations where people come to me for advice and I ask them this question as well. Are you listening?  Listening to what?, you may ask. It is simple yet peppered with slight complexities. Be still and listen for the soul whispers that God sends you. You will hear your pleas echoed back at you. You will hear the lingering sounds of grace as you walk your journey towards the healing garden. You will hear many things if you dare to listen.

Listening requires your full attention. You must take time to sit in the quiet and absorb the silence because it is then when you hear it the most. You hear the word of God and you will also feel the Holy Spirit wash over you, sort of covering your body with a protective shield of Oh mighty richness. When we go about our daily lives, we are often dodging the noises that the day brings us. Cars, horns, children, people talking over each other, board rooms, internet, texting, music, tv, birds chirping, babies crying, people fighting, doors slamming. Our brain can only take so much noise before it shouts out in pain and pressure. Be still. Listen.

This is also a great lesson when we pursue a healthy lifestyle. We truly must listen to our bodies. Are you listening? What is your body telling you? The aches and pains are screams of help. Are you stretching enough? Are you exercising correctly? Are you resting properly? Are you fueling your body with the best grade of fuel? We cannot expect to get the results we seek unless we listen and listen with intent.

Are you listening to your friends in time of need or celebration? They are begging to be heard. If you care about them, you must take time to listen. Sometimes, it might be very faint whisper and sometimes it might be a loud, boisterous scream. Either way, you cannot ignore those you love and care about because that is not Christ like living. You cannot just pick and choose when to listen to your friends. A part of an authentic relationship is being available if even just a small acknowledgement of “I hear you. I love you. I’m listening.”

So today, listen. Take time to sit in silent reverie with your soul. Let your spirit dance among the clouds and your heart shoot beams of joy and laughter out into the world. Listen to the angels sing praises and blow kisses of love your way. Believe in yourself and listen to the powerful messages and answers that are always there waiting for you to hear them, especially when you are still and at peace. Be quiet. Be daring. Be open. Be raw. Be ready. Just listen.