Mark Affleck

“God Is Silent.” NO, You’re NOT Listening!

October 4, 2021
Spiritual Growth

Why does it seem that I’m in touch with God and hearing from him one day and then nothing comes in on another day and for many days after that?”
  
That’s just one of many very similar comments from our global online tribe on hearing God speak into and guide their faith walk. It’s a frustration that does not surprise me because I have thought the very same thing many hundreds of times. All believers, in fact, face some form of this question about “hearing” God speak.
  
I’m talking about the inaudible direction we get from God when his voice speaks into our life. It is an incredible blessing when the Lord’s life-giving messages flow into our mind and heart. And it causes deep pain and anguish when there is silence.  
  
After deciding a few years back that I wanted to encourage the blessing and avoid the pain, I asked God “what gives” on this critically important topic. His response was a valuable lesson that has wildly enriched my faith walk ever since. It was what I would call “simple powerful” –YOU’RE NOT LISTENING, MARK!
  
Right now, today, there are millions of Christians around the world saying to themselves (and God): “Where are you, Lord?” They are reaching out to him in earnest prayer and, still, there is seemingly no response back.
  
What’s missing? We only THINK we are listening to God when, in fact, we are not paying attention at all. How do we know that is the missing element? Because God is NEVER silent. He is ALWAYS speaking to us. But we must LISTEN!
  
“Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 11:15
  
Since God gave us all ears to hear, we know he is telling us to PAY ATTENTION!  The competition for our attention was not NETFLIX back then, but clearly there was something hijacking people’s attention.
  
So here we are with a piercing and sobering truth: We can be pursuing God with good intention, but it will “come up silent” if we have allowed too many competing inputs to crowd our mind and heart. Why? Because God often speaks in a “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12).
  
It may not be hip to put it like this but giving God our “UNDIVIDED ATTENTION” is still very much ESSENTIAL if we want to hear him speak into and direct our life.
  
My prayer is that I never tire of pushing myself to pay undivided attention to God and his life-giving direction. That I renew my commitment to that end every day so I can give him the glory.
  
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
  
What specifically is hijacking your attention from God? C’mon, be honest and dig deep. God is trying to speak to you RIGHT NOW. Are you listening?
  
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28
  

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