Listening Ears
For the first 19 years of my teaching career, I was (among other things) a preschool teacher. My heart still delights when I see the light of cognition gleam in a little one's eyes. The innocent adventure of a child still in the thralls of pretend play was so fun to manipulate in the classroom. We went on many play adventures. One of the first things a teacher works on in a preschool classroom is teaching the skill of talking when it's your turn and listening when it's not. When I needed my class to pay close attention to what I was saying, I would ask my class to put on their "listening ears." We physically pretended to add special ears that would help us sit quietly and listen to what the teacher needed to say to us. I had every little pair of eyes glued to mine waiting for whatever new fun thing I wanted to teach them...well, most times anyway.
This give and take of communication is important for each of us to learn. If we want to be effective communicators, we cannot be good at talking only. We must master the art of listening as well. Communication is a reciprocating action between two parties. If we are good at listening but never voice our thoughts, we may grow frustrated with all that's inside begging to be released, or our friends may get frustrated that they cannot get to know us well because we keep our thoughts and feelings inside hidden. If we are good at talking but never stop and listen to them, we may not have many friends willing to listen after a while. You must equally talk and listen if you want to be a good effective communicator.
This skill is something we need to exercise in our relationship with God as well. If our prayer life is spent with our mouths constantly running, how can we expect to hear from God? He may be wanting to pour so much into your heart, but how will you know if you never stop, be still, be silent, and listen? Even in our worship services, we are seldom silent to "hear."
Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."
This was one of my favorite verses as a little child. I would sit and look at the picture that went with it with such joy. It was a beautiful picture of Jesus standing in a pretty garden and knocking on a wooded door. I just loved it. I loved the thought that He wanted me enough to come knocking. But I sit pondering the verse in light of communication, and again I am moved with joy. Jesus not only comes knocking on our heart's door so that we would create a relationship with him, but He also COMES IN for a meal. Now that He is my best friend, that takes on new meaning indeed. I am picturing what it looks like when I go to dinner with a close intimate friend. We talk so much that the time flies, and we are shocked that several hours have passed. How I love these kinds of talks with Jesus. He talks to me, and I talk to Him...give and take. I can pray for hours and the time flies. It's heavenly!
But I didn't just know instinctively how to listen and actually hear from God until I practiced being still. I sat with my journal, and during prayer time, I would write down any thoughts I had that I thought were from God. It was a skill that got easier and easier until now I wonder why I had to try in the first place. I needed to trust His voice in my spirit when the enemy was trying to silence it by telling me it was just my imagination. You will know God's voice in your spirit. The word says that His sheep know His voice. It's true. And the more you do it, the easier it gets.
Now, I'm so delighted that I can have deep conversations with my Lord. I can ask Him for wisdom and understanding, and with speed, He delivers. I love Him!! Just recently, for instance, I had a knowing that something was going on with my son. I prayed and asked God to expose anything that needed to come to light. Within two days, it's been revealed. God is faithful. I have a good line of communication with my wonderful friend, Jesus, and He helps me know what to do.
Proverbs 2: 1-5, "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
Today I encourage you to open the communication line with God. Learn to talk to your friend, but learn to sit and listen as well. The depths of your relationship will only deepen. He is good, and He will meet you. He desires to sit with you in intimacy!
