One of the goals I have for this particular season of Lent is to spend more quiet time listening to God’s voice. That would be in contrast to the many voices I’ve been in the habit of listening to. Voices like the celebrating characters on my phone that affirm the accomplishment of winning a round of the silly game I’ve been playing. Or maybe the voices of the latest Netflix original series I’m working my way through. Maybe they are the voices of the stream of comments, concerns, conflicts, comedies, and crises shared on the social media feed I’m scrolling through.

That doesn’t begin to describe the internal voices. Yes, the ones inside my head. The “to do” lists. The “don’t forget the birthdays that are coming up”. “What am I going to buy for this one?” “When will I see her?” “Oh that’s right, I’m almost out of baking powder.” “I’m so thirsty, I didn’t drink enough water today, no wonder I had the munchies this afternoon.” “I really need to get started on that book.” “I wonder if I have enough gas to get to Battle Creek tomorrow?” Need I go on? You should know that I could!

And all of the while there is that nagging feeling. The feeling that God is trying to speak. Even the feeling that I just need to hear someone that really matters.

So I began that journey last night. It was quiet. End of the day. No TV. No phone. No music. No games. And how did that go? Well let me tell you it was uncomfortable. I was anxious. It was “too quiet”. The distractions that I’ve become increasingly accustomed to were absent. And what I heard were the truths I already know.

#1 God will speak when He is ready. He does not answer to me, I answer to Him. Revelation 1:8 reminds me that He was, He is, and He is yet to come. In other words, God is God and I am not, and frankly I might not be in the right state of mind or well prepared enough to listen to Him. So I should get into the habit of quiet, listening, and being prepared to hear Him.

#2 God will speak to me through His word, which I need to read to know Him better. It only improves our relationship and makes it more comfortable for us to have a conversation. John 1:1 say that in beginning was the Word (Jesus) and the Word (Jesus) was with God (the Father) and the Word (Jesus) WAS God (the trinity). I just have to dwell with Him in the Word.

Tonight will be spent dwelling on some of the scripture I’ve read today AND just being quiet.