I don’t know about you, but I am feeling the pace of our life speeding up as we have been approaching the holidays. When I am constantly needing to scramble to stay on top of things, I don’t do well at taking the time to really listen, both to God, and to those I love. Instead, I often ignore the most important things to accomplish things of lesser value.

God has been speaking to me today regarding this issue.

This week, when I have heard some frustration coming from my two little girls, I realized that I had not stopped and completely focused on something that they so desperately wanted to share with me. In their eyes, they were not as important as what I was involved in. No wonder they became upset!

This makes me reflect on the times when God wanted to show or express something to me, and I was just too busy and preoccupied to genuinely listen. Does He also feel hurt and disappointed because I have once again made other things more important than Him? I find it easy to pray and spend time in God’s Word without truly listening to Him. I can still have my own agenda, rather than remaining quiet and still before God so that I can hear Him speaking. In Psalms 46:10, God commands us, “Be still, and know that I am God…”

I have a new goal that I want to focus on, especially during these next few weeks. I have purposed to come before God during my quiet time, with a blank tablet and pen, and to remain still enough for Him to speak to me. As He speaks, I have been writing down the thoughts and words of affirmation that He gives me. I also write down the areas of wrong thoughts, motives, or actions that He impresses on me, so I can make things right and have a clear heart and conscious before Him. When there is unconfessed and secret sin in our lives, we greatly hinder our ability to hear the gentle voice of our Father.

Often as I sit, surrounded by God’s nature, I find it considerably easier to hear the still and quiet voice of God speaking to me. Many times, the clamor and demands of our lives rob us of the sweet and peaceful presence of Jesus. Why do we allow all this “noise” to keep us from hearing His words of affirmation or direction for our lives?  The “enemy of our soul” knows that when we can hardly hear the voice of Jesus, we begin to aimlessly flounder around and will be as sheep without a shepherd. We will then be an easy target for Satan’s lies and for strong holds to develop in our lives. However, we don’t need to focus so much on the tactics of our enemy as we do on hearing the voice of Jesus. When we can HEAR and KNOW the “real thing” then we will easily recognize the counterfeit.

I would like to share with you some of the ways that God has recently been speaking to me. My desire is for each of us to make a conscious decision to guard our time with God each day. It is only after we listen to God, that we are ready to listen and love those closest to us.

My dear daughter,

I am trying to sing a beautiful love song to you, but you haven’t been taking the time to really listen to it. I am waiting for you to take the time to hear My heart, and I desire to look into your eyes and lovingly speak into your very soul. The voices of the world are trying to pull you in every direction, but please do not listen to these voices. Be still in My presence and listen to My voice “and I will guide you into all truth.” There are so many hidden treasures just waiting to be found as you listen to Me. Even though I generously pour out daily blessings to you, some of My richest blessings cannot be found unless they are actively sought after. I desire to reveal Myself in a greater way to you, but you have to desire it as well. When you don’t come to Me because you have “messed up” again, it hinders you from feeling My love. Please stop judging yourself because this is My role and not yours. Don’t compare yourself to others because this can cause either pride or feelings of inferiority, which will only harm you. No one has ever been, or will ever be, on your journey; I made it especially for you. Look to Me for your affirmation; not to others. My unconditional love is truly ALL the affirmation that you will ever need! When I discipline you, it is never in disgust at what you have done. I am never an angry Judge, just waiting to hand out your punishment. You see, I am only preparing you for your eternal home where you can bask in My love and presence forever. Until then, take the time to listen, and you will find My rich words of love and affirmation which continually flow from My throne of grace. I am here and waiting. Come to Me!