How Are You Listening?
by Tanya Person
We have been spending a lot of time with our young grandsons lately. They are five years, two years, and seven months old. They often get so busy playing that they don’t hear what we are telling them. We have to stop them and make sure they listen. If we are saying something they don’t want to hear, then sometimes they still don’t listen, even though they are right in front of us. They want things their way. But, when they do listen and obey without talking back, that brings us great joy!
In our walk with God, we can be like this too. Maybe we are so busy doing our own things that we don’t stop and listen. Or maybe we hear what God is saying and we don’t want to do it, so we ignore him. All of us can go through seasons in our life where we can be like this.
Today I am challenged, and I would like to share the challenge with you. God is speaking. Am I hearing? Am I listening? If I am listening, am I listening with a heart that is ready to yield to Him? Am I willing to obey whatever He says?
Now, let’s take some time to talk to God about it. Don’t be like those who look in the mirror and go away and instantly forget what they look like. As it says in James 1:23-25, ‘For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it’.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times when I have not listened to You and have not obeyed what You were telling me. My heart’s desire is to listen and obey. Amen.
Tanya Person Tanya and her husband, Jim, were missionaries to Hungary for over 18 years. They have worked with Ellel since 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where they are now serving with the Ellel USA team. They have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom, and for mentoring the existing and developing team. Tanya also enjoys crocheting and knitting in her free time and has written some children’s picture books.
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