12-08-19

Tim’s Tidings

One of the hardest things to do in today’s world is to listen. There is so much noise from a multitude of sources.  TVs, stereos, cellphones, traffic, construction, well-meaning people wanting to tell us what to do … and ill meaning people wanting to take advantage …. And perhaps in the midst of the noise, comes … the voice of God. As we read through the Bible and encounter The Bible in 52 stories in worship, we experience that:

God is.

God speaks.

Humans can understand.

God has a will and purpose for us in community.

 

It is true that sometimes the voice of God is hard to hear.  It is also true that God has ways to get our attention.  Most of us know that first-hand.

 

Samuel encountered the voice of God as a young child.  In his story God called to him in the quiet of the night.  Fortunately for Samuel, Eli, a trusted mentor and spiritual guide was there to help him not only listen for and hear the voice of God, but also to respond.  Zachariah heard the voice of God in old age.  He was struck mute for nine months which probably increased his listening skills tremendously, only to respond to God in obedience in the naming of his child John.  Joseph was probably middle age or younger when he heard the voice of God in dreams.  Joseph quietly obeys God to the extent no words of Joseph are recorded in scripture.  Only actions.

 

Learning to listen, to hear, to share and to respond are all important parts of spiritual formation.  We need God and one another to hear and respond.  My prayer this Advent Season is that you take time to listen, that God speaks in ways you understand, and your response is living in the light of God’s will in community with the very love and compassion of Christ.

 

Where might you start?  When I have asked groups of people to pray for direction in silence and then speak a “Word from the Lord” if heard, many heard the Scripture from Psalm 46:1: “Be still and know that I am God.”

 

“Be still and know that I am God.”  This is an invitation to experience God.  Today in worship and through the Advent Season at home, in the world, as well as at church, I invite you to a journey of “Holy Listening.”  One good way to begin is to get in a quiet place and reflect on this Scripture adding a word or two at a time as you slowly read or speak them, pausing between the phrases, listening, and hopefully hearing:

BE…

BE STILL…

BE STILL AND KNOW…

BE STILL AND KNOW I AM …

BE STILL AND KNOW I AM GOD….

 

May we all listen, hear, share what is heard, and with discernment … respond to God faithfully, even as Samuel, Zachariah and Joseph did before us.

 

Blessings for a Holy Advent,

 

Pastor Tim