Isaiah 65:24 – It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer, and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (NKJV)

Lately, I have been spending more time than previously reading the Bible, doing devotionals, and going to Bible study classes. I've also been devoting more time to church activities, but I've felt that something is missing. In the past months, I've started writing devotionals, but my heaven-led inspiration seemed to be missing. As I sat down to do my daily devotion, I contemplated why I felt further from God. I know that God hasn't moved, for He says, "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love." (Jeremiah 31:3b NKJV) So that means that I have moved away. I prayed for insight as I began my reading. Just as clearly as if I were speaking to a friend on the telephone, I heard, You are doing it wrong!

"Wow! I can hear You now! Okay God, what part am I doing wrong?" I asked. In the first devotional that I read, the thought for the day was, "God speaks through His Word when we take the time to listen." "Okay, got it, God," I said. I'm spending too much time doing and not enough time reflecting and listening. Last week, our sermon was on the subject of whether or not God has a sense of humour. When I opened the second devotional and noted the title, "Three mental barriers to hearing God's voice," I laughed right out loud! The three barriers were listed as pride, fear, and bitterness. Well, it's not fear nor bitterness, so it must be pride. I didn't feel prideful, but the description spoke to being too independent: doing things myself without God. Hmm, that sounds like me! God has blessed me with many gifts, but He never intended that I use these gifts without asking His advice.

The following day, I began by prayerfully asking God to still my thoughts and quiet me to hear Him. I laughed again when the devotional of this day was similarly titled, "Three things that prevent us from hearing God." This article mentioned "being so busy that you miss the plans God has for you." Aha! Bingo! That's it! I'm a planner. I love to be active. Being still either in body or mind is difficult for me — it always has been. I often repeat over and over, "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10a NKJV) Even if I am being active doing good things, I know that I need to take time to be quiet and listen, but it has always been hard for me. I think that I finally may have found a way for me to be quiet and hear God. Today, I was sitting in my chair and I glanced up, looking out the window to the beautiful blue sky and the trees that God has made. I noticed a bird in the tree and heard the chirping. As I continued witnessing God's majestic creation, I thought, instead of trying to just block out the world and listen, I need to focus on manifestations of God and meditate on His Word.

Do you find yourself feeling too far from God? When was the last time you singled out real quiet time to listen for Him? If your current method of meditating isn't working, ask Him to help you find another method that will work for you.

Prayer: Thank You, God, for Your patience when we move away from You. Thank You for calling us back to You. When we are too preoccupied or too deaf to hear You speak, You find humorous and very direct ways to make Your presence known. Thank You for never letting go of us as Your children. Amen.

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About the author:

Orlanda Drebit <orlandadrebit@hotmail.com>
Manitou Beach, Saskatchewan, Canada
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