|
HOW TO LISTEN TO GOD!
I. Listen by reading His Holy Word, the Bible / Ignorance of the Bible / Ignorance of Christ!
II. 'Speak Lord, your servant is listening'!
1) Take Time ...
Find some place and time where you can be alone, quiet and undisturbed. Most people have found that the early morning is the best time. Have with you some paper and pen or pencil.
2) Relax ...
Sit in a comfortable position. Consciously relax all your muscles. Be loose. There is no hurry.
There needs to be no strain during these minutes. God cannot go through to us if we are tense and anxious about later responsibilities.
3) Tune In ...
Open you heart to God. Either silently or aloud, just say to God in a natural way that you would like to find His plan for your life - you want His answer to the problem or situation that you are facing just now. Be definite and specific in your request.
4) LISTEN ...
Just be still, quiet, relaxed and open. Let your mind go 'loose'. Let God do the talking. Thoughts, ideas, and impressions will begin to come into your mind and heart. Be alert and aware and open to every one.
5) Write ...
Here is the important key to the whole process. Write down EVERYTHING that comes into your mind. E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G! Writing is simply a means of recording so that you can remember later. Don't sort out or edit your thoughts at this point. Be honest. Write down EVERYTHING.
A thought comes quickly, and it escapes even more quickly unless is is captured and put down.
6) Test ...
When the flow of thoughts slows down, stop. Take a good look at what you have written. Not every thought we have comes from God. So we need to test our thoughts. Here is where the written record help us to be able to look at them ...
a. Are these thoughts completely Honest - Pure - Unselfish - and Loving?
b. Are these thoughts in line with our duties to our family - to our country?
c. Are these thoughts in line with our understanding of the teachings found in our spiritual literature?
7) Check ...
When in doubt and when it is important, someone else who also wants God's plan for our lives may help us to see more quickly. Talk over together what you have written. Many people do this.
They tell each other what guidance has come. This is secret of unity. There always three sides to every question - your side, my side, and the right side. Guidance shows us which is the right side - not who is right, but what is right.
8) Obey ...
Carry out the thoughts that have come. You will only be sure of guidance as you go through with it. A rudder will not guide a boat until the boat is moving. As you obey, very often the results will convince you that you are on the right track.
9) Blocks ...
What if I don't seem to get any definite thoughts? God's guidance is as freely available as the air
we breathe. If I am not receiving thoughts when I listen, the fault is not God. Usually it is because there is something I WILL NOT DO ...
Something wrong in my life that I will not face and make right - a habit or indulgence I will not give up - a person I will not forgive - a wrong relationship in my life I will not give up - a restitution I will not make - something God has already told me to do that I will not obey. Check these points and be honest. Then try listening again.
10) Mistakes ...
Suppose I make a mistake and do something in the name of God that isn't right? Of course we make mistakes. We are humans with many faults. However, God will always honor our sincerity. He will work around and through every honest mistakes we make. He will help us make it right. BUT REMEMBER THIS! Sometimes when we do obey God, someone else may not like it or agree with it. So when there is opposition, it doesn't always mean you have made a mistake. It can mean that the other person doesn't want to know or to do what is right. Suppose I fail to do that I have been told and the opportunity to do it passes? There is only one thing to do. Put it right with God. Tell Him you're sorry. Ask Him to forgive you, then accept His forgiveness and begin again. He understands us far better than we do.
Through Fr. Robert L of St. Marks RC Church, Rahway, NJ; I was invited as a guest at 'AA'. Yes, God gave me the desires to be there, be a witnessed. Topic, 'How To Listen To God'! Written in the late 1930's by John E. Batterson (Personal friend of Dr. Bob - Co-founder of AA)
|
