This evening I called my dad.
Asked him to tell me about what led to him becoming a pastor.
Then I sat back and listened.
Learned some things I never knew. Heard some stories I’d never heard.
Got to know my father a bit better.
I needed that. He did too, he told me when we were winding up.
We need to learn how to sit back and listen to God.
And get to know our Father a bit better.
One day Jesus was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade:
The people surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
John 10:24-27, NLT
My sheep listen to my voice.
Other translations say my sheep hear my voice. Respond to my voice. Recognize my voice.
Listening to God is a spiritual discipline. An act of worship.
How can we learn to recognize God’s voice if we never pause to listen for him?
Over and over Jesus told us in the Gospels: Whoever has ears, let them hear.
In fact, the greatest command—the one give by Moses—begins by saying:
“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.”
Deuteronomy 6:4, NLT
And Proverbs 8 begins with these words:
Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice!
Proverbs 8:1, NLT
Unlike our eyes, our ears don’t have lids. They are intended to always remain open.
How long has it been since you paused and listened to Jesus?
Today, just that.
Pause. Listen to Jesus. And when you get to the end of listening, pause just one moment longer.
Break out of the noise and turn down the interference.
You might be surprised at what God has to say to you.
Stopping to listen?
That’s worship.
–Pastor Steve.