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by Max Estayo Mk. 1:29-39 
I received this text message from a young friend and it jolted me: "Don't ask the Lord to guide your step if you're not willing to move your feet."
You see, I'm a struggling follower who asks the Lord for direction but never goes the way He points me to.
It's like I really don't listen to what the Lord is saying: I thought hearing Him was the same as listening to Him, although hearing and listening are two different things.
I can hear Him speak - through priests and preachers, advises of friends, words in the Scriptures, inspirations from prayer and meditation - but don't understand it because my ears choose what to feed into my mind and heart, the rest just flow out the other ear.
How can I know God's will if I'm not listening? I must admit the result is disastrous - faulty personal decisions, lack of wisdom in ministry, etc.
I'm hoping that putting myself more in silence will help me hear the Lord more and listen to what He has to say. So, for instance, I have cut my radio listening and TV watching time - to have more time for introspection and to hear the "inner voice" speak to me.
I cannot go on without the Lord's instruction, as I know that on my own, I can't put my life to good use. Somehow, I wish that I could have a bit of the Lord Jesus's discipline - listening deeply to the Lord's voice and knowing instantly what to do, where and how.
Prayer:
Father, let me desire to hear Your words and follow Your instructions. Clean my ears, my mind and heart of selfish motives so they become a space where You reside. Amen. |
