Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. Proverbs 8:34

Listening

 In the world's current chaos of coronavirus, conflicting news reports, and civil unrest, it's more important than ever to seek a quiet time and place to listen to the most important voice of all.

As the sun rises behind the trees, I open the east window of my study a bit even on the cooler spring mornings, so I'll be sure to hear the hummingbirds as they approach the feeder; then I settle into the loveseat by the window to wait. While reading my Bible, or writing, or just sitting there quietly, sipping coffee and listening to the spring birds at their morning songs, I'm listening for the familiar hum of the tiny ruby-throated hummingbird's rapidly beating wings. (I was thrilled to discover that, according to Revelation, the ruby-throated hummingbird's colors are the same as the colors surrounding the throne of God. The micro and macro of that!) Hearing the bird's hum alerts me to look at the feeder so I don't miss seeing its brief, beautiful visit. I listen closely so I can see.

 In the same way I am to listen for the still, small voice of God.

 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:8

 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.  Isaiah 55: 6

 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4

 "In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus," are the words penned in beautiful calligraphy on a sign I received for Mother's Day. I found the perfect spot to hang it--over the east windows of our enclosed porch where I can sit on the porch swing and watch the sun come up over the trees and barn. The song from which these words are taken has been playing in my mind ever since.

 Give Me Jesus

 In the morning, when I rise

In the morning, when I rise

In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus

 
Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

You can have all this world

But give me Jesus

And when I am alone

Oh, and when I am alone

And when I am alone, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

You can have all this world

But give me Jesus

And when I come to die

Oh, and when I come to die

And when I come to die, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

You can have all this world

You can have all this world

You can have all this world

But give me Jesus

 All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him. II Samuel 14: 14

 God "devises ways to bring us back" when we've been away, either in sin or just too caught up the chaos of current events to listen for Him.

Allow me to make a suggestion: Open your Bible to one of the gospels. (My favorite is the Gospel of John.) Read. Listen closely. Hear that Holy Spirit hum? Open the window of your heart and soul. Listen again. The Kingdom of God is near.

Daye Phillippo

June 2020