Listen

The Don’t Wants and Can’t Help Its

May 14, 2020 by Ellen 14 Comments

{An oldie, originally published in August 2017. I find it has even more meaning today. Will you still yourself during this time, to hear God speak to you?}

I find myself in an odd mood – a funk, if you will – that has been hard to shake. Maybe it’s the unbearable heat and humidity down here in south Louisiana. I’m just not motivated to DO anything.

Perhaps it’s the summer doldrums: a state or period of inactivity, stagnation, or depression. It’s not that I am care free, I am just free from caring…about anything. I’m not careless, I could just care less…about anything.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Psalm 42:11ESV

It’s what my Mama used to call the “don’t wants and can’t help its.” I don’t wanna do anything, and I can’t help feeling this way.

My normal prescription is to do the next thing. Whatever must be done next, just do it, keep moving, put one foot in front of the other and keep going. No. Matter. What.

Not this time. This go ‘round, I just stopped. Leaned into this feeling. Decided to take a sabbath rest. Go with the flow. I tried not to stress too much over WHY I was feeling this way, or WHAT I should do to correct my course. I just slowed down.

The Lord seemed to be nudging me to spend time with Him. I thought that was odd, because I already do that, each day.

My heart has heard You say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” Psalm 27:8 NLT

What He wanted was my attention. Quality time. Distraction free. God wanted me to know Him more intimately and experience His provision during this season.

Green pastures and still waters of the twenty third Psalm called to me and slowed my hurried and harried heart. Soul restoration is what I craved. But how? How will He restore my soul?

Then I saw it: He MAKES me lie down, He LEADS me beside the waters. My thoughts and breathing slowed, calming the worries of my heart. He was ever so gently MAKING me take this time of rest.

Perhaps that’s the WHY of these “don’t wants” – so that He can grab my attention and make me slow down. He’s leading me to find green pastures and still waters. The Lord wants me to stop and lean in to Him.

Suddenly, I had the don’t cares again – in a good way. I didn’t care about the why or how or what, I only wanted His presence. The Who. Jesus. I felt Jesus stirring my soul to spend time with Him. To stop and listen to Him. So I did.

I began to practice listening, more than talking, during my prayer time. Expectantly, I waited to hear from Him. Let me tell you, when Jesus takes the lead in a conversation, He doesn’t disappoint.

Ever so slowly, I began to hear Him.

[tweetthis]My words quieted, and I heard His.[/tweetthis]

Jesus became my focus.

Make no mistake, the distractions are still there, and will be as long as Satan is around. But I’m fighting them, and training my brain in new habits (don’t pick up that cell phone before you pick up the Word of God!).

What I’ve discovered in the leaning in, is this: When you quiet and still yourself, your heart calms, your mind clears, and you can focus. With heightened senses, you feel His presence, hear His voice, and the busyness of the world fades away.

What’s the pace of your life right now? Do you need to stop, and lean in to Jesus?

Father, lead us beside still waters, make us lie down in green pastures. Quiet our words so that we can hear You. Amen

Grace be with you,

The Art of Listening

July 4, 2019 by Ellen 8 Comments

His accent was thicker than early morning fog. No matter how I tried to slice through it, I could only grasp about every third word, if I was lucky. It was mentally tiring and very hard work. Unfortunately, my brain was not in a working mood that day. So I stopped listening. I put my brain in neutral and coasted.

Only thing is, on the way home, my husband shared some of the things he had heard from the speaker. He wondered what I’d thought. What did I think of this particular statement the man said. I had to confess I didn’t know. I had stopped listening. Evidently, I had missed a lot!

I wonder: Do I do that with God, also? When I don’t understand what He is saying, or what He wants me to do, do I just stop listening? Do I just want to take His grace the easy way, and not put forth any effort to hear Him?

I’ve found there are several reasons I give up on listening to God. Maybe you will recognize some of these:

1. When I don’t understand. Sometimes God’s ways are not as clear as I would like them to be. I’m a process driven person, and like knowing directions from point A to point B to point C. God may zig zag around a bit, and I struggle to understand.

2. When I’m in a hurry and God is a bit slow (according to me!), I tend to stop listening. I’m sure, like with the speaker, that at this point I miss a lot! I’m so thankful the Lord is more patient with me than I am with Him!

3. I stop listening when I believe I see the answer to my problem. I barrel ahead, and muddle through on my own. Sometimes this works, sometimes it’s iffy, at best.

[tweetthis]Listening is hard work; it’s an art![/tweetthis]

If these resonate with you, know this: Listening is hard work! It’s an art. But there are things that will help you craft the art of listening.

Listening takes patience. I have an acquaintance who speaks very slowly, and takes a while to get her words out. Waiting to hear what she has to say is like watching snails crawl. But eventually she gets to the point. I need to practice patience while I listen to her. It’s the same with God. I know He will speak, I just don’t know how or when. I must be patient!

Listening is an act of love. Nothing shows a person love more than taking the time to listen to their heart. It’s putting yourself and your agenda second, so that you can heart what they have to say. Think how much love we show toward the Lord, when we are still and listening to Him.

Listening is an attitude. You can have a great attitude or posture of listening when you lean in and show interest. Try it the next time you need to listen to someone. Gently lean in toward them. How can we do this with God? Many times I simply open my hands, palm up, as a symbol that I am open to hearing Him. It’s a heart attitude.

Good listening takes time. If I take the time to read God’s Word, asking questions along the way, then I MUST take time to stop and listen for His response. It may not come today. It may not come tomorrow. But I have to give Him time to answer. God’s time is not my time. Wait on Him.

If, like me, you tend to stop listening, don’t give up. Learning to listen well is a gradual process. Praise God, He never gives up on us!

And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Yes, I’m listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10 TLB

Lord, Thank You for being faithful and never giving up on us! Give us ears to hear Your instructions, Father God. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Grace be with you,