by Earl J Prignitz

  Well, here I am again with my Friendly Thoughts.  The last time I invited you to try 15 minutes of complete silence in meditation and prayer.   Did you give it a try?  If not why not?  Too busy?  Everyone seems to be busy these days, but surely you can spare 15 minutes to just listen for the voice of God.

  I am confident that if we pause long enough we will hear the still small voice of God.  I am so confident of that because I have heard that still small voice many times.  And I am persuaded that you too can hear him if only you will give him the opportunity to speak to you.

  The still small voice is still speaking. Can you hear it?   As I said I believe you can if you will only give God an opportuniy to squeeze into your busy schedule.   You don't have to try harder. This is not about your efforts; it's about your willingness to be surprised by God.   This means letting go of how you think God will speak to you, of your notion that you know how and where God will lead you.

  Let's face it, we usually listen for those things that will confirm what we already think.   We want God's stamp of approval on what we've already decided.    We aren't willing to be surprised by God's grace.

  As an example or two.  Does a beautiful sunset leave you breathless?   The still, small voice is speaking--do you hear it?  Does the swell of an anthem bring tears to your eyes?  That still, small voice is speaking--do you hear it?  Does the cry of a little child that is in need call to you?  The still, small voice is really speaking--do you hear it.  Does the plight of millions of starving poor people rend your heart strings?  The still, small voice is shouting--do you hear it?

   There are also ways of hearing from God through the scriptures; we can listen to words and experiences of others.  Such stories can stir our hearts, if we are open to them.  We could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the message.

  God is constantly reaching out to us in countless ways.  So be aware of what moves you, what excites you, what causes you to lose track of time.   And listen to the message that God whispers in your heart.

  And I am confident that the still, small voice WILL speak-- I pray that we will hear it.

This page was last updated on: February 22, 2009