Listening in Oz

LISTEN...That's the message I keep getting.

It is the message of my second nightmare (see October 26 post), as the waters were rising. "Don't move. Don't be afraid. Be still. Listen to My voice and do what I say." This message speaks peace to my heart as I continue down this long and winding yellow brick road, on this unexpected journey.

It's the message that we are hearing at the Journey Center as we reflect on the past year and all that God has done in opening doors and toucing lives, and what He might be saying to us in the midst of a financial situation that would normally mean "We can't make it and we need to shut the doors." We know that we are being invited to "Be still.  Don't panic. Listen to My voice...I know what I am doing." This message gives us hope, strengthens our ability to trust and helps us keep focused on the mission, knowing that all will be well.

The other day I was having breakfast with a friend. I told him about how I'm being invited by the Spirit to listen. He told me that he is being drawn to listening for God's voice in a strong way. Then I got in the car to drive home, and the car in front of me had a very interesting license plate...."listen3".  I started laughing because it was so clear that God was saying loud and clear to me... LISTEN. In that moment of happy delight in God's presence and persistent communication, I knew that this was to be my new spiritual practice.

Plain and simple. Not any kind of fancy technique or particular time in the day where I set aside a few minutes to listen. But a way of being in the day, in the moment. Wherever I am, however I am. Just remembering the word "listen" seems to do it for me. In the past few days, I reach for the radio in the car and I remember...."listen", and some of those times I decide not to turn the noise on. I just drive along and think of that word..."listen", and experience peace and a Loving Presence with me. As I listen, things become simpler and clearer, and there is peace.

I've come to believe that the Spirit invites us to particular spiritual practices in each season of our life, and right now my invitation is to listening. (It seems especially appropriate as in just a week I'll start weight-bearing a little and will be discovereing if there has been any healing in my knee. It's an easy time to be afraid, and listening and experience His peace seems to be the only antidote.  Thank you so much for your prayers!)

John 10: 2-4  "The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice."

Listening in Oz,
Joanna