Listening for the Voice of God

My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

Life has a tendency to throw noise and distractions at us. I often find myself wondering if the noise in my life is causing me to become deafened or desensitized to the tone of God’s voice as He strives to guide me.

I’ve always enjoyed the story of Elijah hearing God’s voice in the gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13), but I’ve also always felt that the story is often taught, or taken to mean, that God only speaks to us in moments of quiet. God can speak to us through the earthquake, the fire, the shattering of rocks, and through obvious POWER…but I think that God gives us opportunities to listen to Him how we NEED to listen to Him, which causes us to listen on God’s terms and not our own. When we may think we need to keep sprinting through the noise, God gives us permission to engage in the worship of listening…maybe so He doesn’t have to shout at us over the noise in and around us and compete for our attention, but also because listening to our God, who knows us, is receiving his love and care while expressing trust in our Shepherd.

Angelyn (my wife) and I used to live on the bottom floor of an old house in Tualatin…I blocked out the noise from the upstairs neighbors, their dogs, and their three rambunctious children because I simply didn’t want the distraction. I didn’t want to be annoyed. I didn’t want to be inconvenienced. Angelyn heard every pin drop and would often be astounded that I didn’t register the constant sounds that often kept her up late into the night. I actually felt very blessed to be able to block out noise, but it also speaks to our ability as humans to ignore even the most persistent voices/sounds in our life: Through habit, laziness, and good intentions…we can forget that we are even doing it, or we can know what we are doing but be content in our ignorance. Intentionally or unintentionally, we can forget to actively listen for God and follow where he is leading.

This week, I pray that you create opportunities to listen for the voice of God in the midst of whatever life throws at you. Whether it be in the storm, in the busyness, or in the whisper, God is speaking, guiding, and asking for us to follow.

Reflection Questions:


Micah Holmes
BCC Middle School Pastor