A few years ago I was enjoying some time on the beach—toes in the sand and book in hand. There were several people around, so I kept finding myself distracted from my reading as I watched nearby activities. I was soon transfixed by one particular scene.
Two beautiful golden retrievers were running along the shallow surf, then did sudden u-turns to energetically return it to their owner. The man would pet them both on their heads, and with a blink, the dogs were running full force along the shore again. I realized the man was calling out commands- releasing them to run, then calling them back to him. Above the shrieks and laughter from kids, above the music blaring from a radio, above the calls of frisbee players, the dogs heard and obeyed their owner's calls. The dogs weren't distracted by the sights and sounds around them. They were laser-focused on their master's voice.
Intrigued, I eventually walked over and chatted with the dogs' owner. He shared that they lived nearby and this was a routine they did several times a week. He explained that he first began training them in the quiet of their yard, free from other distractions. After a lot of repetition, the dogs could respond to him no matter what was happening around them.
This mirrors how we learn to discern the voice of God in our own hearts and lives. We choose to spend consistent time with Him in prayer and in His word, carving out pockets of quiet time in our daily routines. We clear distractions and intentionally open ourselves to know and understand Him a little more each day. Over time, with maturity, we find that we more easily hear His voice above the noise of everyday life. His guidance will stop being drowned out by the cacophony of the daily grind and will find a way to emerge through the noise, to offer guidance, peace, and strength.
May we all develop these dedicated rhythms of time with Him, knowing each time we do we are developing our sensitivity for His voice.
Comments