I’m a pretty tolerant person and I don’t let much get under my skin.  Like anyone else, though, I do have a few pet peeves that make my teeth grind.  Number one on my list of things that raise my blood pressure is when I am in a conversation and someone else butts in and begins talking over me.  There is nothing more indicative of self concern and conceit when this occurs.

What are these people really saying?  The words spoken are of no concern to me at this point… all I can hear is some 4 year old yelling “look at me! look at me!  look at me!”  What this person truthfully says by doing this is: “I have no regard for you and I simply want everyone to notice me.”  It truly shows a clear picture of a person’s value of others.  You need to shut up and listen.

I have learned over the years that I can’t let this bother me.  But I’ve also taken a step back and asked myself if this is something that I do?  Do I talk over the top of people in such a way to show disrespect, lack of concern, and general disinterest in them?  I can gladly say that I can’t bring myself to do that.

Or do I ?

I came to a very stark realization in my relationship with God.  I pray.  I blabber on and on about my woes, my concerns, my wants, my needs, my anger, and on and on.  Do I ever take a breath and allow God to speak?

A friend and I were in a conversation not long ago about whether or not people still hear God’s voice.  More directly…have you ever heard God speak to you?  We came to an endpoint where we had discovered that God still speaks – but do we ever shut up long enough to listen?

It’s inside of this discovery that I have discovered that I AM that person that talks over God – and that bothers me to a point of change.  I have become very aware that my unwillingness to let God finish what He is telling me as I talk over Him… is a terrible sign of disrespect – of the worst kind.  I can show restraint and concern for my neighbor – but I don’t always afford God the same respect.

The relationships of faith that grow deeper and stronger are the ones where we stop and listen for God’s voice.  It’s no wonder that we become frustrated with our faith journey and often find ourselves off the path and heading down a dark trail of uncertainty.  God wants to tell us not to pursue those things, but we are too busy talking to God — telling Him what we want instead of shutting our mouths and listening to God for guidance.

If you find this idea of hearing God’s voice to be somewhat alien and uncommon… hard to grasp even, then ask yourself if you’ve actually stopped talking and started listening.

I have heard God’s voice.  I know without a doubt that He has spoken to my spirit and guided me into areas where I needed to be.  I also know that I have blown through months of prayer without ever stopping to listen to Him.  In my life, God speaks in a certain rhythm that I understand.  I don’t hear thunder and lightening, I don’t see fire… I just know His voice.

May you find the joy of listening today.  Be strong enough in your faith to shut up and not be the center of attention – it’s not very becoming and no one wears that label well.  Be bold enough in your faith to call out to your creator and listen to His response.  You will be blessed and hear His voice.

It takes a strong conviction and certainty in who we are to close our mouths and speak when the time is right.  We honor God not by being a noisy gong or clanging cymbal – but speaking in truth to reflect God’s nature to those around us.

Grace and Peace,
Greg Arnold
Acts 4:31
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