whispers in the silence

God speaks—no doubt there! But how many times has God talked to us? Or, rather, the question should be: how many times have we listened for God? My youth group went to C.I.Y. 2002 (bummer I missed out), a Christian youth event, and it was revolutionizing for many of those who went (and me at C.I.Y. 2003). During the trip, we engaged in a quiet time—2000 kids deathly silent, just listening to God. God spoke to many of them for the first time: so many heard God speak to them, and the results were life changing. God speaks in whispers—he doesn’t shout or rant or scream. A song concocted by Third Day goes, “I thought I heard you shout, but then I figured out, that all along you were whispering to me!” God speaks in whispers—and a lot of times we don’t hear him because of the ‘noise’ all around us [family events, stress, school tensions, boyfriends/girlfriends, and most common: sin]. We need to spend time in listening to God, and we must be willing to wait for him to speak. As people—and I’m a living witness (victim is a better word :-)) to this—we’re too impatient, and we get agitated at not hearing his voice. But God does speak to us all, through thick and thin, no matter what mush is going on in our busy lives. We just have to listen! And in a life of wild abandonment after Jesus, listening to him is essential—not recommended, suggested or a good appetizer—for guidance, deliverance, and encouragement. So listen intently, and be patient. No matter what.