Are We Really Listening?

Good morning, everyone.

Opening Clip

Let's start with a clip from Adele's song "Hello:

“Hello from the other side,

I must have called a thousand times,

To tell you I'm sorry for everything that I've done.

But when I call, you never seem to be home.”

Many people resonate with these lyrics, feeling unheard and unnoticed. It made me think about how we sometimes treat our relationship with God. We call out to Him, but are we listening when He responds?

Introduction

Today, we are going to explore the theme "Are We Listening?" We often talk about praying and speaking to God, but do we really take the time to listen to His voice amidst our busy lives?

Reflection on 1 Samuel 3:1-10 – Are We Listening?

In 1 Samuel 3:1-10, we see young Samuel learning to listen to God's voice. Despite the rarity of God’s word in those days, God called Samuel repeatedly until he finally responded.

It’s important to note that in Hebrew culture, repeating a word signifies its importance. Repeating it twice stresses heightened urgency or importance. God called Samuel on four occasions; the fourth time He called him, He repeated his name twice before Samuel responded correctly. This repetition underscores the importance of being attentive to God’s call.

Interestingly, Samuel is pronounced Shmoo’el in Hebrew, which means “God has heard.”

“Shmoo’el. Shmoo’el.”

Are we listening to God in an age of so many distractions? Do we even try to shut off the noise and listen? God isn’t silent in our modern world either. The lamp of God hasn’t gone out, we just aren’t listening.

Let’s take a moment to think about our daily routines. How often do we find ourselves too occupied with our tasks, our phones, or our worries to take a quiet moment and listen for God’s voice? (Pause for reflection.)

Reflection on Psalm 139:1-5, 12-18 – God Knows Us!

Psalm 139 tells us how well God knows us. He is aware of our every thought, worry, and need. He knows us better than we know ourselves and still desires to communicate with us.

Think about the comfort in knowing that God understands our innermost thoughts and fears. He knows the challenges we face, and yet, He is always there, ready to guide us if we listen.

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 – God Works Through Us

In 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Paul speaks of the power of God working through us despite our weaknesses. We are described as jars of clay, fragile yet entrusted with the treasure of the gospel. This illustrates how God can use each one of us if we listen to His guidance and are open to His work in our lives.

Consider times when you have felt inadequate or unworthy. Remember, it is through our weaknesses that God’s strength is made perfect. He chooses to work through us, flawed as we are, to accomplish His purposes.

Reflection on Mark 2:23-3:6 – No Excuse Not to Do Good

In Mark 2:23-3:6, Jesus prioritises doing good over adhering to strict rules. When the Pharisees criticised His disciples for picking grain on the Sabbath, Jesus responded that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Jesus healed on the Sabbath, showing that caring for others is paramount. Similarly, we should not let our routines or rules prevent us from doing God's work.

Jesus showed us that the spirit of the law is more important than the letter of the law. How often do we get caught up in our rituals and routines and miss the opportunities to show compassion and love to those around us?

Illustrations and Reflections

Modern Communication

“Sorry, I missed your call. I didn’t answer because I don’t use my phone for calling. Who does that?!”

This humorous yet thought-provoking statement reminds me of our approach to prayer. Many people treat prayer like a to-do list for God rather than a conversation. Are we genuinely listening to Him in an age full of distractions?

Personal Reflection

Consider a quote I recently thought of: “If you’re too busy doing God’s work to do God’s work, maybe you need to reassess things.” We often justify our busyness and sometimes we even claim it’s God's work that’s keeping us so busy; but if it distracts us from truly connecting with Him and others, we need to reconsider our priorities.

Story from a Church

I recently read about a heartbreaking story from a church in America.

A family left their church because they felt neglected. When the pastor finally asked why, the man explained that despite several attempts, the pastor was always too busy. Even when he demanded an appointment with the pastor, he was told no, because the pastor was attending a pastor’s conference!

This story, which could happen anywhere, and reminds us to be present and attentive to the needs of those around us.

How Many Times Has God Called You?

How many times has God called you? How often has the Holy Spirit whispered for you to care for someone, to love someone, to share with someone, to listen to someone, or to show compassion to someone, but you were just too busy to hear Him?

The Bible doesn’t tell us to be more religious; instead, it calls us to withdraw and talk to God, and to love one another. By doing this, everyone will know we are His disciples.

Practical Steps to Listen to God

Make Time for God: Create moments in your day, anywhere and anytime, to listen to Him. God is always ready to speak to us if we make the space.

Example: Perhaps it's during your morning coffee, or while you're taking a walk. Turn off your phone and simply be present with God.

Pray Without Predetermined Outcomes: Approach prayer with an open heart, ready to accept God’s will rather than imposing our own. Meditate and reflect on what you believe He is telling you.

Example: Instead of asking God to fix a specific problem in a specific way, ask for His guidance and be open to unexpected answers.

No More Excuses: Stop using busyness as an excuse. Make time for God and for serving others, or you cannot expect God to make time for you.

Example: Allocate specific times in your schedule for prayer and acts of kindness, just as you would for any important appointment, but make this priority number one!

Act on God's Will: Find tangible ways to live out your faith. Smile at a stranger, engage in meaningful conversations, or donate to someone in need. Live out our Christian values actively.

Example: Forego your coffee or favourite treat, and give the money to someone in need, offer to help a neighbour in need, or simply listen to a friend who needs to talk.

Conclusion

When your phone rings and the caller ID says “God”, will you answer, or will you make excuses?

God is always calling out to us, just as He did to Samuel. The question is, are we listening?

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Help us to quiet our minds and hearts to hear Your voice. May we not be too busy or distracted to listen to You and to act on Your will. Guide us to be attentive and responsive to Your call.

Lord, we ask for Your forgiveness for the times we have ignored Your voice, for the moments when we have allowed the noise of our lives to drown out Your guidance. Help us to create space in our hearts and minds to receive Your wisdom and love.

We pray for the strength to follow Your will, even when it requires us to step out of our comfort zones. Open our ears to hear the cries of those in need around us, and open our hearts to respond with compassion and generosity.

Lord, may we always remember that Your work is done not just in grand gestures, but in the small acts of kindness we show each day. Remind us that every time we love one another, we are living out Your commandment and reflecting Your love to the world.

Guide us to be instruments of Your peace, spreading Your light in a world that often feels dark. Help us to be attentive to the whisper of the Holy Spirit, prompting us to act in love and justice.

We thank You, Lord, for Your constant presence and Your unwavering love. May we walk each day in the assurance that You are with us, guiding and loving us.

We love you and worship you.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Thank you, and may you all have a blessed week, truly listening to God and responding to His call.