Listen for the Lord

(February 24, 2021) “Thus says the Lord: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and  do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful,  giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word  

be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my  will, achieving the end for which I sent it.” 

(Isaiah 55:10-11) 

We don’t think of rain and snow returning to the heavens. Yet that’s what they  do: they water the soil to make plants grow to give food to the earth and its  people, and then, through evaporation, they return to God.  

In a similar way, God gives us His words in scripture to fill us, nourish us, and  sustain us. When we allow His words – His words of love, peace, forgiveness,  mercy, and joy – to permeate our very being, these virtues affect us and they influence how we live. They spill out of us in our words and actions, which spread His love and peace to the people around us (see Galatians 5:22-23). We are then  moved to thank God for His words and His gifts. That is how His words of love and  peace return to Him: they return to Him through our attitudes, words, and actions  toward each other, and in our thanks and praise to Him. 

God created us; He loves us. He speaks to us through His words. What He says to  you may be different from what He says to someone else. How do we hear Him?  One way is for us to read short passages of scripture using a simple practice called  lectio divina. This method allows us to focus on just a few words to see what God  wants to say to us through them: 

Read. Pick a short passage and read it slowly and thoughtfully. (Some people like  to start with a few verses from the Psalms.) What word or phrase captures your  attention?  

Reflect. Dwell on that word or phrase for a little while. What thoughts come to  mind?

Respond. Respond to God from your heart. Speak to God of your feelings and  insights about this word or phrase. Ask Him any questions that come to mind. Rest. Sit quietly in God’s presence, and listen. You may not ‘feel’ anything  happening. Just savor the quiet time. When you feel the time is right, end the  session with a simple “thank You” to God. 

Instead of merely reading a lot of words, following this practice slows us down and opens our hearts to what God may be trying to tell us. Allowing His words to  ‘soak into us’ inspires us to live with deeper love. 

We came from Him.  

He wants to speak to us.  

Listen to Him and His words: “I love you more than you can know” (see Ephesians  3:16-19). 

“Now return to the Lord your God, 

For He is gracious and compassionate, 

Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness 

And relenting of evil.” 

(Joel 2:13) 

PRAYER: “Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening” (see 1 Samuel 3:10). 

This article is a personal reflection by Gina Bedell © 2021. It and other reflections written by her  invite the reader to reflect on a given topic and then seek deeper answers through prayer,  additional spiritual reading, and/or consultation with clergy or other persons who may guide the  reader to a deeper faith and understanding of God’s love and will for their life.