How well do you listen? How well do you see? Are you an observant person? Are you attentive to the tone a person uses? Do you pay attention to their body language? Do you understand what is being communicated?
There are times we are very attentive. And there are times when we have checked out of the conversation. We may listen attentively for a portion of the conversation but become bored with it and start daydreaming or thinking of something we deem more important.
We may have taken a class or lesson to learn how to be a better listener. We may know how to be a good listener. But that isn’t always the issue, is it? The issue is our desire to listen. We may have no interest in what the person is saying. The topic doesn’t interest us. Or the person doesn’t interest us. Or we believe there is something more important we should be doing.
It all comes down to priority. The same is true when we listen for God. If we do not make it a priority, we will not hear Him. If it is not a priority to understand His Word when we read it, we will skim over it but not comprehend it. God desires us to listen closely to His guidance. He is providing us life-giving knowledge and wisdom.
Being attentive to God’s guidance and direction illuminates our understanding. Making listening to God a priority increases our understanding. As we understand God’s Word more, we increase in wisdom. Increasing in Godly wisdom improves our lives.
I pray we all choose to listen for God’s guidance. I pray we make listening to or reading God’s Word a priority. I pray each of us will seek to increase our understanding and Godly wisdom. Listen attentively. Seek understanding. Make Godly wisdom a priority. Listen for His guidance.
Isaiah 51:4-5
“Listen to me, my people;
hear me, my nation:
Instruction will go out from me;
my justice will become a light to the nations.
My righteousness draws near speedily,
my salvation is on the way,
and my arm will bring justice to the nations.
The islands will look to me
and wait in hope for my arm.
Marty Pressey 