Are You Listening?

Do you ever feel like you're talking to someone and your words are going straight through them? Nothing is registering! I'm sure I've been that person many times. My mind was a million miles away. Thinking of my grocery list, what's for dinner, lesson plans for class. You name it, I wasn't paying attention. Are you listening to God that way? Are you tuned in? I've struggled with hearing God's voice for a long time, but I think I'm beginning to get a better grasp of what I should be listening to and for.

I've been studying Rick Warren's "Purpose of Christmas". It is wonderful look at the reasons and purposes for Christmas. One of the purposes of Christmas is salvation. We need a savior and Jesus came to save us for a purpose.

This tied in so beautifully with what our pastor has been preaching on over the past two weeks in his sermon series "Do You Hear?" According to our pastor, when God speaks, His voice reveals your purpose. I love ah ha moments and this was one for me!

In the "Purpose of Christmas" study, Ephesians 1:11-12 is referenced. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

According to our pastor, when God speaks to you , it will stretch you. You're not going to feel comfortable and it's not going to all add up. He used Exodus Chapter 3 as his example, when God called on Moses to lead the Israelites out of bondage. Can you imagine getting that kind of call and from a burning bush no less?

In the beginning of Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life, he writes it's not all about you. Personally, I think when we begin to realize that, we've realized it's all about God and his purpose for our lives.

During this busy season, take the time to be still and hear God's ever present voice in your heart and life. He is your Savior and he has a purpose for you.