Learning to Listen

One of the lessons I'm learning this summer is the lesson of listening.  All people have problems, they really do.  So many people just need someone to be a listening ear for them, and I just happen to be that "ear" at times.  It can be hard for me at times it's like, "I just want to talk!  I need someone to listen to me!"  But I've learned listening is such an important, essential aspect of ministry!  I now look at it as a privilege - a privilege to be that person who others are not afraid to open up to.  It's amazing that people trust me, see me as a safe person, or whatever it is!  As I think of listening I remember, God listens to me - He listens to people period!  He listens a lot!  He listens to many prayers we have, and He listens to us praise Him - even when the music isn't perfect or beautiful or heavenly!  He is my example!

Beyond learning to listen to people, I'm learning to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit.  Being a girl with lots of emotion, I'll admit, I've struggled with this.  I've wondered, "How do I know if this is just me thinking or if it is really an impression of the Holy Spirit?"  I don't have it all figured out yet, but it seems at the times when I question, or fight back, that it is usually the Holy Spirit!  The natural heart is selfish and stubborn!  And beyond that, my natural heart is doubtful!  I want to be told every detail, and I want to understand things, not follow a simple impression that doesn't make sense.  Learning not to doubt, not to try to figure everything out, not to wonder if I'm able, but just to say "Yes", to that impression of the Holy Spirit, is an important lesson God is patiently growing me in.

Sunday I had the opportunity to learn to listen and obey the Holy Spirit. Saturday the pastor's daughter and I had passed out flyers inviting people to the meetings in an area not from the church.  We hadn't finished the neighborhood, so I decided to go back Sunday.  As I drove there I was strongly impressed I should also invite people on a neighboring street.  I decided to work the other neighborhood first though.  After finishing it, the impression again came that I needed to do that one road.  "But do I have to do it now?  I'm hungry and getting tired, I can always come back to it later."  But then the Holy Spirit spoke back through my thoughts, "There may be a person there NOW who needs to be invited."  And with that I couldn't say no, and leave the street for later. 

In just a few houses down the street I came to a house with a big sign that said "Beware of Dog".  Now, honestly, I'm not afraid of dogs.  But with a big fence and gate up, I wouldn't break through to get to the house.  The gentleman who lived there just happened to be outside of his house, and when He saw me, he walked to the gate and we started talking.  After inviting him to the meeting and drawing his attention to the fact that we all have problems, and emphasizing how the meetings show that we all have hope in Jesus, He opened up and started sharing with me some of the things he had gone through.  He had been a foster child, abused, unloved, went through many different homes.  He had been shot at and yet the bullets never hit him, he had almost died at another time as well.  He recognized that there must have been a reason his life had been spared, and He saw God as that reason.  "I'm not the most religious person, churches are so hypocritical", he told me.  I mostly just listened, but as we spoke, some of his Bible questions came up, so I couldn't help but ask "Could I get your contact info and we could get together and go over some Bible studies that answer your questions?"  He said he would like that.  When I left he told me to keep in touch and to call him.  He also asked what church I was with and when I said Seventh-day Adventist and told him it was the one near him, he said "I helped put a beams in that church!  I have a relative who is a Seventh-day Adventist."  I couldn't help but tell the man that God had sent me to his house today, and that this was no coincidence!  I left very thankful that I had listened, and realized that only God could get the glory for that Divine appointment!

What if I had said no to the Holy Spirit?  I wonder how many times I have missed an opportunity because my thoughts were focused on self or going in some other wrong direction, instead of being in tune with the Holy Spirit!  Pray for me, this is spiritual warfare!  And I appeal to you, bring every thought into captivity, and obedience to God (see 2 Cor. 10:5).  God is willing to use us ALL as we learn to just listen to the promptings of His Spirit!