Silence can be a reminder to listen for God’s voice

I usually have my column written early on Tuesday morning but today I am sitting here staring at an empty Word document as deadline approaches. I also have noticed that my entries on my blog have been scarce over the last few weeks.
My columns and blog entries always come from some word the Lord opens my ears to during the week, sometimes in church, sometimes from the Bible, or in something I read or hear or even from a song on the radio.
Pondering why I haven’t received that word this week, I have come upon a revelation. It isn’t that I haven’t received the word, it is that I haven’t heard the word.
There is a big difference between the two. The Lord is always speaking to us, we just have to be attentive to hear what He says.
Lately I have let worldly worries and cares disrupt the openness necessary to receive the word.
Sometimes we get so busy with the day-to-day responsibilities and activities, we forget to stay always in a prayerful mode that allows us continuous communication with our Father.
With the boys starting a new school this year and all of the usual preparations for a new year, a recent move that I am still unpacking from, work and everyday activities it is easy to get caught up in my life.
When we are turning to the Lord asking, “Father, help me with this,” I think He is sometimes saying, “I am trying if you would just be still and listen you would know I am there.”
If we just be still and listen, we will know when God speaks to us and we will hear his voice. He has many ways of speaking to us. We just have to keep our minds open so we don’t miss what He says.
When the Lord is within a person he is communicating constantly with that person’s heart, conscience, soul and spirit.
He is carrying on a two way conversation with us 24 hours a day.
John 10: 27-28 says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
God never leaves us, but sometimes I think the silence is a way to get our attention back on Him and off of the cares of the world. I know it has gotten my attention this week.
it is time to give my cares and worries over to Him and my thoughts back where they belong.