Are You Listening?

I always look at the beginning of the year as a fresh start at everything- I needed a fresh start at my relationship with the Lord. I've been so consumed with life and everything going on around me that I haven't been as atuned to the Lord as I should be. I go about my days, running in circles, just trying to keep up. I've thought about my focus for the year and still don't have a clear one and its the 11th day of January- no need to rush, the right one will come and I'll know it. Last night sitting in church listening to the heart of several of my church family members I was challenged with the question, "Are You Listening?" and the truth of the matter is NO! I'm not...at least not like I should. Too often I find myself going about my day with my spiritual ear buds half-in half-out.... meaning I'm not totally listening to the Lord. The cares of this world are muffling his voice. This morning I turned to Psalm 19 in my devotions, very fitting...

Psalm 19

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹ The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

² Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

³ There is no speech or language

where their voice is not heard. ^{a]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[a]}

⁴ Their voice ^{b]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[b]} goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

⁵ which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is hidden from its heat.

⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul.

The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the LORD are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

⁹ The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever.

The ordinances of the LORD are sure

and altogether righteous.

¹⁰ They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the comb.

¹¹ By them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

¹² Who can discern his errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Then will I be blameless,

innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (the invocation at every Lee Univ. chapel)

* I quickly sent this out as an email to several of my teacher friends. God confirmed his word in less than half an hour as 2 of them wrote back, "you knew just what I needed to hear this morning."

*This evening a friend said, "I never would have thought to do that, but God mus have encouraged you to tell me. Now I have..."

God is speaking all around me- I just have to listen. Sometimes he speaks in an audible voice, but more often he speaks in the things that happen around us. You just have to open your eyes/ears to recieve.