To hear, requires no effort. To listen, requires concentration, it is something you do which can lead to learning and therefore; changed lives.

Are you hearing or listening to God?

Before you answer too fast, both have merit. Hearing sounds the alarm that something is happening. For example, you are hearing all types of sounds going on around you, now.  And chances are, since I just said that, you have begun to listen to those sounds in an attempt to understand what they are. Hearing requires no action on your part…rather listening requires weeding through distractions, paying close attention, seeking to either learn from what you have heard or dismiss it as unimportant. This is why it’s important to listen to what God says.

Everything God shares to us is important. And when we ignore God’s word, we eventually stop listening to it. It becomes like the “white noises” we hear from the humming clothes dryer, the sounds of traffic outside, the blank buzzing sound that you hear when you try to hear nothing. Eventually, you lose the ability to hear God.

Purpose in your hearts today, not to just hear God but to actively listen to God. Once you practice listening to God, pretty soon you will start to communicate with Him. You will seek to understand more, to do more, to make listening a part of your daily walk with God. You will start to listen for God’s voice to speak to you throughout the day, not just at bedtime. You will find yourself being more present–you’ll comprehend, grasp, and repeat, what you’ve heard from God to others.

Try it, you’ve already tried listening to what you hear around you…now listen to the Word of God.

Father, let us hear your call to our hearts today, and listen to You. Open our ears that we will focus on your message. Teach us how to become active listeners of Your Word which will make us doers of it too. For if we really listen to You, we will obey. When we obey, we act. Help us to listen to one another also. Perhaps we can repair relationships by becoming listeners and not just hearers. Lord, awaken Your Word in our lives. For some of us You have become a “white noise”–something we hear but ignore.  Sound a trumpet! A loud clap today! Break the monotonous buzzing that we have learned to ignore. It’s no wonder You will come with a trumpet sounding. Help us listen to You Lord.