How many times have we said to our spouse, or our children, “Are you listening to me? All through life it is the voice that gives us instructions, gives us criticism, gives us directions and gives us praise. However we only receive those if we take time to listen. A well known quote in the Bible is Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. The Bible also tells us in Psalm 37:7 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him, fret not yourself over the ones who prospers in his way, over the many who carries out evil devices. Throughout the Bible we are instructed to BE STILL and listen for God’s voice, and as we busy ourselves in the course of our lives, we often miss the voice of GOD.

We speak in so many different ways, by written word, by pictures, and by our voices. God speaks to us in many ways also. One of my favorite ways he speaks to me is his word THE BIBLE. The Bible is God’s word. Are you hungry to hear God speak to you? Grab a Bible and begin to read. Are you feeling lost or consumed with darkness? Grab a Bible and begin to read.

I remember so many times during my life and my children’s lives being asked to do something and saying in a minute, or I will just give me some time. I remember telling my daughter who was jumping off a coffee table into a box when she was little. You need to stop that you are going to get hurt. And what happened? We had to go to the hospital to get stitches in our head, when the box flipped and her head hit the corner of the coffee table. When this happened, I remember saying exactly what my mom had said to me many times in my life.” I am sorry you got hurt, but if you don’t listen you will have to feel.” We are given choices and when we choose not to listen; we have consequences.  The same is true with GOD. He gives us instructions for our life in his word…and we need to listen to those words if we desire to live a truly Christian life.

Do you remember hearing your parents say, “You need to take time to smell the roses.” My mom was always telling me that I needed to slow down and take time to smell the roses. As I have grown in my relationship with Christ, I finally understand the need to “Take time and smell the roses”. God speaks to us through his beauty which surrounds us each day. The beauty of the beautiful Cardinal bird sitting on the fence, the hint of dew on the grass, the smell of the glorious roses blooming on the bush, and the gentle rustle of the leaves as the wind gently blows. I was sitting on my deck on crisp spring morning, everything was blooming and greening up, and I thought how God was showing me that after the rest of the winter season, nature is being renewed. WOW….get the picture, it was GOD speaking to me telling me that we all need rest to be renewed, to flourish, to grow. I would of missed that message from GOD if I had not taken the time to BE STILL.

Father,  May I always hear you! Lord, help me to BE STILL and receive what you have for me. Forgive me Father, when I get distracted, or seem to put the business of life ahead of you. I am so thankful that you know my needs, you know my heart and you are always with me. I have the assurances of your word to provide me strength and comfort. You word that allows me to draw close to you at anytime anywhere. God, I pray that in this new year I will be more deliberate in listening for your voice, following the path you have chosen for me, and spending more time growing my relationship with you. GOD, you are all I need. In the name of our Savior JESUS CHRIST. AMEN.