SCRIPTURE
“My sheep hear my voice...” John 10:27-28 ESV
DEVOTIONAL
When I realized that prayer didn’t have to be laborious but was merely a conversation, I began praying in a new way. I started to discover that talking to God was essential, but listening to the voice of my Creator was even more grounding and transformative. He often had much to tell me, bringing a new perspective, a clearer identity, practical solutions, and peace. I began to experience prayer as more of an exhale and refill than a form of discipline with a timer and gritted teeth. My main job was to quiet myself and listen.
We are bombarded with emails, texts, Instagrams, push notifications, etc. There is so much noise. There is so much talking “AT” us. But the noise often hides our real desire as human beings - to know and be known. Sometimes, we don’t even remember this is our core need.
But this is our design - to be known and to know others in return. The first fruit of the curse was hiding and God having to come after us asking, “Where are you?”
God invites us today to both talk to him AND listen to him. It’s not like our technology. We aren’t posting and giving thumbs up. He isn’t sending push notifications and going back to his life. We are invited into a relationship. He wants to listen to our needs and concerns and joys and fears. He wants to tell us his heart and secrets. He wants to whisper words of encouragement and an overcoming perspective. He wants to remind us that He loves us and will never leave us. He doesn’t want to talk AT us, he wants to be WITH us. Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3 ESV.
QUESTION
How does it make you feel knowing God wants to talk with you? How does it change your perspective on prayer knowing that your loving Father always has time for you and always has loving and encouraging things to say to you?
PRAYER
Jesus, thank you for your promise that I hear your voice. I ask you to awaken and arrest my heart to hear you when you speak to me.