Listen…

Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earth.”

The other day I was doing a little coaching with someone who was frustrated over their current job.  My job as a life coach is to not tell someone what they need to do, but rather to lead someone to their own solution of what they need to do.  I knew this person believed in prayer and most likely was praying about the matter so I asked him “so, what have you done for God lately?”  I went on to say “often times the answers to my problems are revealed to me when I get out of myself and help someone in need.”

Times are tough these days.  Many people who once had “security” in a job and benefits, no longer have a job and benefits.  The unemployment rate for recent college graduates has doubled since the economic tsunami hit over 2 years ago.  The world is in turmoil.  Natural disasters seem to be happening in epic proportions on at least an annual basis.  There are more wars and national uprisings taking place than ever before.  Some are predicting the end of the world.

Many believers who are in turmoil over the current state of conditions have added prayer to their daily list of things to do, just hoping God might be listening and will provide the answer.

I learned a long time ago in order for prayer to work I needed to make sure I created a two-way line of communication.  I can pray all I want, but if I’m not listening to what God is telling me then prayer simply becomes a time for me to vent, beg and request.  In order for prayer to truly work we need to  spend time listening to what the Lord is saying.

I don’t know about you, but with my active mind I have found just sitting and trying to meditate and listen to the Lord results in me thinking about everthing I need to get done during the day and/or falling asleep.  I have found the best way for me to listen to God is by reading scripture.  God also speaks to me when I am reading spiritual type books.   God speaks to me when I am on a long run or a long bike ride.  God speaks to me when I take a walk in the woods. God speaks to me when I am listening to secular-spiritual music.  God speaks to me in church and/or during praise and worship.  God speaks to me when I am doing yard work.  And most importantly God speaks to me when I get out of myself and help someone in need without expecting anything in return.  Thus the reason for the question I had for the person I was helping the other day.

Please don’t misunderstand what I mean when I say “God speaks to me.”  When my spirit is still and at peace, it is connected to God.  Then my thoughts become God’s thoughts.  It just happens, it’s not like I hear God’s voice, but my thoughts align with His and then the answers come and when they don’t, it usually means I either have the answer already or my spirit is not where it needs to be to recognize the answer. 

On top of all of this it is important to have quality mentors to bounce God’s “answers” off of because God does his best work through his people.  BTW…a quality mentor or life coach is someone who is willing to tell you what you don’t want to hear…like “what have you done for God lately?” 

To simplify all of this; the key in receiving God’s answers is to get out of ourselves.  Sometimes we become so self absorbed we smother the Holy Spirit and in turn our heart is constantly in a “demand-mode” and never in a “receptive mode.”  These people are pretty easy to identify as they are in constant turmoil and often at odds with the world around them…been there done that and still do if I’m not doing what I need to do to listen. 

Where do you feel connected to the Lord?  What do you do in order to receive the answers to your prayers?  It is important to make time to get out of yourself and “be still” in order to open up God’s communication line back to you.

God also speaks to me when I am writing…the reason I blog at least once a week.

P.E.A.C.E.

jay@eaglelaunch.com

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