31 Days: Listening to the still small voice

Here’s part of a journal entry I came across the other day. Although it was nearly 20 years ago, I still remember this as a significant moment in my spiritual journey. In need of some rest and refreshment, I had taken a week off to get away by myself. This entry came towards the end of that week. It was good to read it again, fresh on the page. Even back then God was speaking to me about listening.

10 August 1995

I lay under a huge old gum tree today, finally willing and quiet enough to hear that still small voice. As I stared up at the huge branches I heard God speaking to me, reminding me gently of some fundamental truths that I’d lost sight of.

It’s not about becoming more spiritual or doing the right thing but about developing a relationship with God, coming to know God as Father, Jesus as brother and friend (as well as Saviour and Lord), and the Holy Spirit as Comforter and Guide (I know that’s a very limited description).

It takes time to get to know someone really well – and so it is with God. I need to make opportunities to spend time with Him; especially to stop and listen.

 And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
(I Kings 19:11-12)

This is Day 24 of the series 31 Days to Listen.

31 Days: Listen and Follow

“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognise a stranger’s voice.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.”

John 10:1-5, 27

If we don’t listen, how will we recognise the voice of our Shepherd? How will we know who to follow?

This is Day 16 of the series 31 Days to Listen.