Listen for God

Stop.

Go outside, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and listen. Repeat as many times as you need.

Listen.

Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (this is a wilderness road) So he got up and went.

Acts 8: 26-27

Reflect.

When I told you to STOP and go outside, did you do it?  Did you think, I’ll go later or it’s rainy/sunny/cloudy/cold?  If you, didn’t take the moment to go outside you aren’t alone.  God asks us to step out of our comfortable places every moment of every day.  The trouble is it’s really hard to hear.  It’s hard to hear when we are doing so many things.  It’s sometimes harder to take the time to stop and really listen for God in our lives.

I have now been on staff at Easter Church for almost 14 months, yep I’m counting, as I look back at my previous work/career I can see so many moments where God was asking me to step out, to jump.  I did not jump, I did take small steps.  I pursued friendships with co-workers where we talked openly about faith or anything that was on our minds.  Those friendships kept me in a job that was not fulfilling, I do not blame those relationships as they helped me to survive where I was not fulfilled by the work.

These 14 months at Easter have shown me that I was always on the path, taking detours and stopping to see the sights are ways God is asking us to step or move out. I am excited to see what this work will bring as we get out of the pandemic! 

Pray.

Dear God, thank you for asking us to step out of our comfortable places.  Help us to feel comforted by You when we listen to Your call to step out.  Be with us as we take time to listen. Amen.

Carry On.

Take time today to really stop and listen.  Is God calling you out of your comfortable place? Listen for the voice of God, in others and in yourself.