Stepping Stones: Are You Listening?

February 6, 2012

Transformational Thought

By now, you should know I’m big on decision-making. I have 3 great daughters, 19, 17, and 11 years old … really great kids, and most of the time I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world. But all parents wonder at times about the decisions our children make. When mine choose impulsive, shortsighted, me-centered, immediate gratification, or flat out “what were you thinking” wrong decisions, they certainly weren’t listening to the advice I gave them.

Then to whom were they listening if it wasn’t me? And why were they listening to that advice? That “advisor” doesn’t love them as much as I do … doesn’t know them as well as I do … doesn’t want the best for them as much as I do … won’t risk it all for their safety and survival like I will. How dumb can my kids be, accepting advice from people or media that function like a random decision-spewing slot machine that isn’t invested in them?

WOW, glad I finally fixed them! Now, what about you? When you make decisions, whose instructions are you following? You will make between 5,000 and 10,000 decisions per day … seriously. And that is actually a conservative estimate. When you make some of your decisions, to which voice do you listen? The crazy world’s message and mantra about where happiness comes from … or Satan’s prodding … your flesh and it’s ‘MY kingdom come’ agenda? Or do you seek to hear the Holy Spirit’s still, small voice and God’s instruction manual, The Holy Bible?

In today's passage, God is lamenting the fact that no one is listening. You can feel the sadness in His heart as He speaks these words. He pleads with His people: Please listen to Me!

He is speaking to you too! Why? Because He loves you and wants to save you from so much hardship and its consequences ... just as we give our kids instruction and pointers for long term fulfillment and satisfaction. God actually knows more than any parent. He sees and knows the future. He created you, so He knows exactly what you need and the way you need it.

Jesus said, "My sheep, listen to My voice." These words were directed toward Israel, but God wants all of His children to listen.

Today, listen to God during your prayer time ... and throughout the day. The Holy Spirit is constantly teaching, guiding, coaching, and warning us. God wants us to talk to Him, then listen to His response. Practice being still. Clear the clutter Satan throws at you to muffle God’s voice. Open The Holy Bible and “read” His voice. It’s all about choices. Whose voice will you listen to?
Your decision, one of 10,000 today, so choose well.

Prayer
My Father and my Lord, I am guilty of listening to some other voice and giving it, not You, lordship over my life. Please forgive me. I know You have so much You are telling me through Your Holy Spirit in me, through Your word, The Holy Bible, and through my circumstances. Please help me open my heart, and tune my mind to Your frequency. I know Your plans for me are way better than the ones I have for myself. So in that moment of temptation, please give me eyes that see and follow You. I pray this in the name of the Your perfect listener, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
Listen to me, O my people, while I give you stern warnings. O Israel, if you would only listen to me! … But no, my people wouldn’t listen … Oh, that my people would listen to me!
Psalm 81:8, 11, 13

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27

He has never wandered off to do his own thing; he has been right there, listening.
Psalm 22:24