Learning to Listen

Part of being a disciple is learning to listen to the Holy Spirit.  When we come into a faith relationship with Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit takes residence in our lives (John 14:17).  Part of his role is to teach us (John 14:26); to convict and correct us (John 16:8-11); to guide us (John 16:13-14).  Closely related to being guided is being filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). In all of this, we do not lose our ability to make choices as we live our daily lives.

So how do we live in cooperation with the Holy Spirit as we live our daily lives as individuals fully capable of making our own choices?  One answer to that question is to develop one’s awareness and response to the gentle prodding of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Here is one example.  Tuesdays are typically my “day off.”  On Tuesdays, I will do odd jobs around the house, or a wood working project, or read a novel, or in good weather I like to try to get a round of golf in.  It is a time to “decompress.”  Not long ago on a Monday evening I was looking to see when I could get an early tee time at a local golf course that gives a huge discount to clergy.  Due to the lack of tee times available, I could tell that there was a corporate outing scheduled for that day so I decided to look elsewhere.  Our local park district course could have been available but I had not yet renewed my park district card so I would be paying non-resident fees and that just was not the best choice financially.  I looked on line at several other courses and then I sensed that "nudging," that still small voice.  I verbalized what I was hearing and said to myself: “Scott, maybe God does not want you to play golf tomorrow.  Don’t push it.” 

Tuesday morning dawned, bright and beautiful.  After getting ready for the day, the first task was to mail some of my son’s text books which we had sold on line.  As I was packing the books, the phone rang and my son-in-law was asking if I could drive up to their place and “rescue” our daughter who had inadvertently locked herself out of the condo with her daughter.  Their 11 month old son was however, locked in the condo and fortunately in his crib.  On the way to their home I drove past my favorite golf course and smiled as I verbalized my thoughts: “Okay God, I get it.  I know of at least one reason why you did not want me to play golf today.”

I haven’t always paid attention to those promptings.  Many times I have “forced the issue” and done what I wanted, when I wanted, how I wanted.  After all it is “my” day off.  But as I strive to follow Christ, I am learning to listen.  As I have worked on this skill I have also learned a principle of living:  

When I respond obediently to the gentle nudges of the Holy Spirit,

 I consistently find that in some way I am put in a position

 to bless another person who in turn praises God.

It seems that is would be what Jesus meant when he instructed us to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 5:20-21).  When we listen to the Holy Spirit and follow his promptings in our lives we are making eternal investments.  There is great value in learning to listen with spiritual ears.