Do you use your listening ears?

How may times do you tell your children we need them to use their listening ears?  How often do you ask why someone doesn't listen to you?  If you are like me, it is probably pretty often. 

How often do you pray that God will lead you?  How often do you pray for direction?  How often do you ask God to tell you something?  Again, if you are like me pretty often.

Do you ever think that maybe God is waiting for us to listen, and use our listening ears?  I know for me I will ask for guidance, ask for answers, ask for God to tell me something then quickly go on to something else.  When I get frustrated that I have not gotten an answer I have to realize that I never gave God a chance to answer.  I was too busy asking and then going on with my agenda.  I never stopped to hear what God wanted to tell me.

Lately, I have really worked on this, and I will be honest God has really opened my eyes!  I am currently working with a friend on a project.  I asked God the other night to show me what He wants this project to show/tell people.  I cannot explain how I stood there in silence with a clear mind and God poured words into me.  I felt as if he had been waiting for me to listen because the words kept coming.  Afterwards I stood there in awe of what had just happened.  I later asked Him to pour the words and goals on me again (this time so I could write them down) and again He did.  I now have a sense of confidence, hope, joy, and encouragement that I am not sure I would have had if I hadn't listened. 

I feel like God wants us to ask, but more than that He wants us to listen.  Last night I was wide awake, and finally said "okay God what do you want me to hear tonight?"  as I laid there watching Em sleep He poured into my heart again.  This time it wasn't about the project but instead was about me.  What He wanted me to know - how priceless is that?

I am not suggesting that this is easy, but it is oh so worth it.  You may wonder where can you find the silence to listen.  I will be honest the first pouring of words  that I mentioned happened while I was in the shower, the next time was while I sat on my couch (but I had to make the effort by turning off the tv and any distractions), and then last night was while laying in Em's bed.  Before an interview I asked God to show me what I needed to read.  I sat in a parking lot opened my Bible and was led to passages that I needed.  It talked about work, and doing your work for God not for man.  How fitting of my day to hear that.    I went into the interview knowing God was with me, and leading me.

In all honesty if you decide to completely listen, God will talk to you regardless of where you are.  You may be in church, driving, or having a conversation with someone.  All of those have happened to me.  We just have to have our listening ears on! 

I encourage you to make a time to sit and listen to God, you will be shocked by what you gain from it.  If you are looking for guidance you may want to have a notebook handy to write all of it down. Let me know how turning your listening ears on changes your life!