I love when God has something to show me that He emphasizes the same point over and over. That’s definitely been the case this week about listening to the Holy Spirit and following the Spirit. One of my goals and challenges for this year is to live more by the Spirit. I think I’ve gotten so used to doing things on my own and depending on myself that I’ve been pushing God aside and ignoring His voice. Or, I only seek His voice when it’s something specific I want to hear. I truly pray I will learn to live more actively with the Spirit. I want God to reveal things to me in order to be an encouragement to others.
What God is showing me right now is that I need to be quiet. I need to wait on Him. This is very difficult for me, as I like to do things and accomplish tasks. When I do try to be quiet, I find my mind wondering or just not getting anything out of it. So, I’ve really been trying to spend time with God just being quiet and listening. It’s difficult and honestly I don’t feel anything’s really been revealed yet, but I pray when He does speak, I will 1) know it’s God and 2) obey what He tells me. That’s the most important point – hearing God is more than just listening to Him; it’s obeying Him.
I was reading My Utmost for His Highest devotional the other day, and it talked about heeding (obeying) God. First, we need to be quiet before Him in order to hear. Then when we do hear, it brings a combination of delight and humiliation. Delight for hearing and recognizing God’s voice. Humiliation because it took so long to hear or for us to recognize God’s voice. I’m not sure what I’m waiting to hear from God, but I’m sure when I do, I will have these feelings.
I know we so often get caught up in our daily activities and continually push God to the side, only calling on Him when we think we need Him. I’m as guilty as anyone, but I’m praying for patience and striving to be quiet before God.
