Listening To God

I am always aware of your unfailing love.

OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD requires a listening heart. We need to make the same commitment that David did in Psalm 85:8: “I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people” (NIV). So what can you do while you listen?

Think: Research the issue. Do a topical study. Write down your questions, your dreams, and your ideas. Then take the key words and phrases, look them up in a concordance, and seek to find the heart of God through his Word.

Pray: Talk to God about your dreams, ideas, fears, or habits. Talk to him about your successes and frustrations. Tell him your hopes—and hang-ups. Find a time and place to pray. Start a prayer journal and log your requests, key verses to pray, your impressions, and the thoughts and ideas you sense may be from God. Weigh your impressions against the truth found in the Word of God. You might listen to an audio Bible to create a backdrop of truth in your heart.

Walk: Exercise. Creative juices flow after physical activity. Endorphins release ideas, so get out and about. Move, dance, run, ride a horse, cycle, or kickbox out your frustrations—but move! Physical movement makes white space in the mind. For example, when I swim in a pool, I can pray through my life without interruption. When I swim in the ocean, my problems nearly disappear as I concentrate on the rhythm of the waves.

When you fall in love, you make dates that allow for conversation. The same is true with your relationship with God. Make some space in your life to listen to his Word.