Two Ears — one mouth…

Other than an occasional vehicle going by, or the faraway sound of a siren (and only if a window is open), this new home of ours is quiet and in a quiet community. Oh, the clocks tick, and the house settles, and the TV might be on, but silence is golden.

This morning I’m reading from Phil Callaway’s little book called, “With God on the Golf Course: Outdoor Insights Pocket Devotionals.” Phil is a funny man but wise and his topic on this reading is the lost art of listening. While he relates it to the golf course, I relate it to my home. So quiet here too!

I need such a place. Like Phil, I value the stillness for this is also a spiritual practice important to the wonder of learning to listen to the voice of God. Today’s messy world offers few motivations to listen. It is noisy, with much bustling about and for some loony reason, we get the notion that busyness and even hurrying and noise are measures of a productive life. God says otherwise: 

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling, (Isaiah 30:15)

I love the first part and yet know the last part. I can be alone and in this quiet place but there are times when I get out in the noise and don’t want to go home or escape noise’s captivity.
Yet God tells me to listen, in traffic, in crowds, when the TV is blaring, at a soccer game, in the library where children are allowed to chatter. I must learn it at home or really listening to Him might never happen.

Callaway points out that “Adam and Eve refused God’s counsel and were banished from the Garden Golf and Country Club.” Since that awful event and no matter how much God blessed them, His people turned to idols. Even their leaders refused to listen.

But as (God’s prophet) was speaking, the king said to him, “Have we made you a royal counselor? Stop! Why should you be struck down?” So the prophet stopped, but said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.” (2 Chronicles 25:16)

How many times have I done the same thing? Too many and too shameful to think about. It is bad enough to go ahead with my own plans when God says no. It is just as much a sin to think that listening is merely waiting my turn to speak, or to defend my actions with excuses.

Of course God honors those who listen because His definition of listening is not just hearing what He says but doing it. Consider His letters to the churches in Revelation that ended with: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” or how David listened when confronted with his sin and was called “a man after God’s own heart.”

God wants me to listen, not merely hear Him. He may be telling me to stand up and speak, or He may be saying to shut up and pay attention. Either way, genuine listening involves action that obeys what He says. 

PRAY: Lord, help me have a heart that longs to hear Your voice. Keep working to make me alert to you and teachable. You know my tendency to be distracted by not only noise but everything. I’m not golfing any more, but let this quiet home enhance my ability to hear You and do what You say and not let the clamor in my mind or any other noise rule rather than the quietness and confidence that You so graciously provide.