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The Power of True Listening in Faith and Life
Ever thought about whether we’re listening, or just hearing? How often do we tune into things we don’t want to hear? Sometimes, it feels like we’re just going through the motions of worship without really soaking in what it means. Are we only listening to folks who nod along with us, living in this echo chamber of our own making? If that’s the case, then all we’re hearing is, well, ourselves. That’s the exact opposite of “none of self, and all of Thee.”
A while back, every time my husband started our SUV, I’d cringe a bit. The dashboard would light up like lights on a tree, then settle down with a few random warnings staying lit. He got into the habit of resetting those lights, trying to make them disappear, and eventually, he just started ignoring them.
Then, this one day, we had a friend visiting from out of town. He wanted to drive us to church. As we merged onto the highway, he kept throwing anxious glances at the dashboard. Suddenly, smoke billowed from under the hood, blinding us to the road ahead. Cars were zipping by, and I thought, “Could there be a worse place for an SUV to catch fire?”
Miraculously, a highway patrol truck pulled up behind us. The patrol crew was baffled, asking, “How on earth did this happen?”
It’s a question that rings true in so many areas of our lives, doesn’t it? We often ignore the signs. We put off the big decisions, choose the easy way out, and shrug off responsibility. We overlook the messages in sermons, the guidance during spiritual cultivations, and even God’s whisper, that voice inside our hearts telling us to act—always thinking, “I’ll deal with it later.”
I’m thankful I got to participate in the recent Spring Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC) at True Jesus Church in Chicago. It was a full-on spiritual recharge—from praying and singing to engaging deeply with others chasing the same thing—the most precious thing, God. It drilled into me the need to be more than just a listener of God’s words but an active participant. It’s about belief, obedience, and seeking God with everything we’ve got—our heart and soul. Pouring our hearts into it means diving deep emotionally and focusing entirely on His cause. Putting our souls into it means making choices that align with His will.
Active listening isn’t just about hearing words; it’s about engaging with them. It’s about being ready to apply God’s teachings and putting others, and Him, above us.
Investing our time in truly listening and following God’s path is how we grasp the most valuable treasures. The Spring ESSC did wonders for me. It reenergized me to pay more attention to others—and paying attention is one of the greatest gifts we can offer. So, listen up…do we recognize His voice? “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:27-28
Be part of something bigger than yourself. Come join us to worship of God on Sabbath Day.
True Jesus Church
4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
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Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org