Listening closely to how God is operating in our lives and the world around us has the potential to renew our minds, increase our joy, and help us to maintain an attitude of gratitude.
All this takes place as we record what we see, sense and hear through eyes, heart and spirit.
But in a world of chaos and noise we can struggle to hear Him.
“Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world” ~ C.S Lewis
As I attempt to put into operation my #oneword365 of ‘listen’, I know it will be a test and a challenge.
What helps you to listen to God’s voice?
Please share in the comments below.
‘The art of listening’
Lord,
Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning in a sea of words
where voices everywhere are clamouring to be heard
above all that’s really necessary as a life-belt for my soul.
And all it craves is to avoid sinking into despair and doubt
while being tossed about on waves of opinion and uncertainty.
For I’m slowly discovering that the art of listening
is a spiritual discipline akin to any other, requiring
great patience and humility, both of which
I sorely lack in my heart’s vocabulary.
So I find I am being thrown hard
on penitential knees in an effort
to find ways to serve and please You.
May I seek Your Presence, find wisdom and discern
as I listen, lean and learn to pay attention and to heed
the essence of all You are saying
in a myriad of ways to me here ~ today.
And may I follow willingly, instead of going
mindlessly about my own way
©JoyLenton2014
Poetry Joy 
Thanks for your poetic and inspiring words again Joy:) I know I struggle to ‘sit still long enough’ to really listen to what God’s saying. I need to purpose to listen to Him all along the way. Thanks for sharing your heart … beautiful!
It can be such a challenge, can’t it? We live in a world full of rush and noise. It takes motivation and a “need to purpose to listen to Him all along the way”. Though when we do, our deliberate turning to God is all that is required for Him to meet with us. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Lorna! 🙂 x
Beautiful, Joy.
What helps me listen to God’s voice. It is only when I quiet my own that I can hear Him at all. So I guess discipline. It is tuning out everything so I can be still.
Yes, it is necessary to quiet our own voices (inner and outer) to make listening to God more achievable and productive. I agree that discipline is key and “tuning out everything so I can be still” helps tremendously too. Thanks, Anne; I appreciate you taking time to comment. Blessings 🙂
Joy, your timely word is so in tune with being attuned to God! That seems to be the theme for posts from other Facebook group members highlighted today on the Christian Poets & Writers blog – http://christianpoetsandwriters.blogspot.com. Thanks for adding your poetic word.
Thank you, Mary! It’s lovely when God has a message He wants us to take to heart and ensures there are numerous ways in which to receive it.
Listening is an art Joy! Thanking God for His patience and grace, while this flesh continues to strive to learn and perfect this art! Thank you for these words, they are like song to my soul today! God bless you richly my friend.
Oh yes, Kathy! We have much to be thankful for as we “strive to learn and perfect this art”. God blesses our attempts to do so and He gives us great encouragement to continue to listen and learn. Thank you for your lovely response, my friend.
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Dear Kathy, thank you so much for blessing me with this reblog on your lovely site! 🙂 x
Hi my friend; I love this post and keep on keeping on my friend!
Hi Winston. Thanks very much for stopping by and leaving a lovely comment! Bless you, my friend. 🙂