Wednesday afternoons, a group of girls gathers at the Starbucks on Harding University’s campus to listen. We are practicing listening to God and listening to one another.
Each week, a different girl leads the discussion, usually through some guided questions and Bible verses I have provided her ahead of time.
At the end of our time together, we ask each other two questions:
1) What have you heard from God this past week?
2) How can we encourage you to keep listening this week?
Early in the semester, the answers to the first question were hesitant, confused, and unclear. The girls were not in the habit of listening for God, even though they each had a strong desire to hear what He was saying.
Last Wednesday, as we shared what we had learned through listening during spring break, the girls’ answers were inspiring and encouraging. They had each spent concentrated time listening for God, processing and applying what they heard, and then shared it with each other when we gathered.
I was almost giddy to witness their transformation and the growth in their listening. And I know God was pleased to have them listen to His voice and share those messages with others.
We hear God in lots of ways. During spring break, the girls listened to Him through Scripture, prayer, meditation, friendships, nature... But the underlying aspect that pervaded what each of us heard was God’s faithfulness.
God is faithful, unchanging, dependable, solid, and patient with us as we learn these things. We delighted in these truths together.
And the more we listen, the more we delight in listening.
How is God speaking to you today? Are you listening?