Listening to the wind…

We sat and talked and watched as people went by, but more than anything else we just listened.  We sat and listened to ocean waves come in and out and felt the ocean breeze.  After a while, we began to hear ourselves, our heartbeats, our breath, and then we began to hear God’s Spirit.  John 3:8 says, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Sometimes it is taking time away from your familiar place and friends to hear God’s Spirit within you.  There are too many interruptions and noises going on in our lives daily to truly listen and know His leadership and calling.  Last week, I spent five days with my wife at a beachside location to rest, be still, be with her, and to listen to the Spirit of God.

Daily we took the time to talk about our family, faith, hopes and dreams for the coming year, and we also took the time to stop and listen.  We are always talking or making noise, but rarely do we stop to listen.  It takes an effort to listen.  It is a discipline to be still and quiet, and in that stillness, it will amaze you how that time actually renews and refreshes you with new thoughts and ideas for life and love as well as understanding your dependence on God.  The God of creation who stopped one day and “rested from all of His work.”  He knows you need that time to rest and to hear the wind blow.

Taking time to rest in our busy pace is important, but as you rest be sure and stop and listen- listen for His Spirit to speak life and newness into your day.  He is speaking…are you listening?