Words to Grow On

Archive Devotions

July 7, 2004

“Are You Listening?”

By:

One of the constant challenges facing mankind is to improve ways of communicating. Many centuries have passed from the time men drew pictures on cave walls and 1876 when Alexander Graham Bell invented the audiometer. Yet, just 20 years ago, I would not have imagined doing what I am doing now . . . typing words which appear on a glass screen that will be read by women miles away on their own glass screens.

Improvements and innovations in communicating by cell phones, VCR’s, TV’s, cameras and combinations of myriad electronics confront us daily. Perhaps the ultimate of such inventions will be the transporting of our very selves by light beams, as we see done in Star War productions.

This inborn need to express ourselves and to receive a response is one example of God making us in His likeness. He, too, enjoys revealing Himself to His children and hearing from them in return. Actually, He created us for that very purpose, to have fellowship with Him.

God speaks to us through nature, music, babies, good books and especially the Bible. In fact, God is everywhere, in everything, trying to get our attention and a response. He wants us to talk with Him, walk with Him, laugh with Him and cry with Him. God, the Holy Spirit, is the power beam that transports Him into our lives.

As we discover God in new ways, the methods we use to respond to His love messages can differ. We may have a special time for daily Bible reading and prayer. But that is not enough! We can write notes to God and keep them in a journal. We can share with others our experiences of His presence in nature and elsewhere. We might look for ways to help people in need and develop talents and skills for God’s use and for His glory.

Caring for a garden shows God that we appreciate His creations and enjoy working with Him as He performs miracles of growth, color and taste.

Delighting in the Scriptures all day by memorizing portions and singing choruses based on Bible passages will show God that we are listening. We can truly enjoy God in every activity of the day, sensing His nearness and responding to it in new and exciting ways.

Surely this is what Paul meant when he wrote, “Pray without ceasing;” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Are you listening? - and responding?

At the beginning of each new year, I try to change something about my daily devotions. I use a new translation of the Bible or revise my intercessory prayer list or try a new method of centering in on Him at the beginning.

In January 2003, I began each morning by thanking God for something that had blessed me the day before. Allow me now to relate a few of these personal experiences of listening, responding and being surprised by God.

One morning, I thanked God for the scrub jay that visits our bird feeder and splashes merrily in the birdbath. That very afternoon, while walking down a hill, a cloud of what looked like insects flew across the road in front of me. Then another cloud flew by and then another. As I walked closer, I observed that they were too large for insects . . . they were humming birds attracted to the Camilla bushes with bright red blossoms.

I stood there, taking in their beauty and laughing out loud when I realized this was God’s response to my appreciation for one scrub jay. When I first saw crocuses blooming, I offered a prayer of gratitude for the joy they brought me. Later, that day, I saw a huge pussy willow tree with branches too high to reach. There at the bottom was a “bush” of pussy willows that I could cut off and bring into our home.

I always thought retirement would be boring, but that is not the case, at all. So one day, I began my special time with the Lord by thanking Him for the variety of activities He puts into my life now. That evening, during a walk, I was crossing a street at a red light when our daughter-in-love, Amanda pulled up to the light. Maxwell, a grandson put his hand out of the window and gave me two tickets to “Cirque de Soliel.” He received them as a prize at a basketball game, but none of his family were free to attend on the date indicated. My husband and I had no problem fitting it into our list of engagements.

In January 2003, the Cascade Divisional Headquarters found it necessary to close its family serves and divide the needy clients among the 5 corps in the Portland, OR area. Since our corps, Portland Tabernacle is across the street from the old family services, we got the bulk of clients. Our resourceful corps officers immediately sent out a plea for volunteers. The Lord gently made me aware that Fridays would be a good time to help.

One Friday morning I wrote a prayer that God would help me to pray with at least one needy person who came to SAYCARE that day. The very first person to arrive was a distraught woman from out of town who immediately asked me to pray with her. Since the chapel door is located next to my reception desk, we were able to go into the chapel and quietly talk, cry and pray together. Similar opportunities opened almost every Friday throughout the year.

If you were ever in doubt, I hope you now understand that living in constant prayer is far from dull. Never ceasing to pray brings never ceasing joy, surprises beyond measure and real fellowship with our wonderful, loving, amazing Lord.