Have you ever been in a conversation, maybe with a spouse, friend, or coworker, when you are telling them something with your whole heart? You have very important pieces of information or even emotions to share. You may even be more expressive than usual as you are thinking about the importance of what you are sharing. Then, you pause for a moment in your wise words you are delivering to interact with this person who is so lucky to be hearing your every word. Then, they give you a simple “Mmmhmm” or nod. You were expecting some validation, maybe some questions or commentary on all that you’d said up until that moment. At this point you realize that they have been thinking about something completely different – maybe what they are going to make for dinner, an upcoming deadline they need to get working on, or the big game they are missing to listen to your soliloquy. You may be hurt and think, “really? Are you kidding me?” You are thinking about how you just spilled out all this incredibly important info, and it seems they didn’t hear a word of it.

Sometimes, I think this is what God is thinking when I pray. During my prayers, I present my requests to God – whole heartedly – just as we are advised in Philippians 4:6. Then it comes time to listen to Him. It’s time to abide and rest in His presence and seek out any movement of the Holy Spirit. I truly try really hard for about 6.2 seconds before my mind begins drifting to my to-do list or worrying about a family member or friend. Those tasks or worries quickly encompass all my thoughts. I’m like the spouse, friend, or coworker whose mind wandered while you were speaking to them. How terrible!

So, how do we become better listeners and really hear what God is saying to us? Since most of us don’t audibly hear God’s voice very often (if ever!), we first must believe that God has so much guidance to offer us if we will just stop and listen. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Bam! That one hit me right upside the head! Am I seeking Him with all my heart? That’s when I really started quieting and focusing my mind for a specific amount of time after I study and pray. I have to stop and clear my head of all the mess that is taking up space in my mind. When I find myself drifting, I actually say the words, “God, I am focusing on you!” to get myself grounded in listening again. When and where can we do this? Anytime and anywhere! Driving the kids to school in the car. On a walk around the neighborhood. In the shower after a long day working in the garden. In addition, we should use the Bible to allow God to reveal things to us. This will give us clarity about things that we do. Sometimes I forget that it’s not just in the quiet that God can speak to us. The more we pray, read the Bible, and listen to what God has to tell us, His guidance will become increasingly clear. Learning to listen to God is a process that can lead to spiritual growth with some focus, determination, and clearing of our minds. I can’t wait to continue this journey of hearing how God is guiding me. I hope you’ll come along with me.