Last Sunday at Solace we had an exercise in listening for the Holy Spirit. There were lots of other groups doing other things, but that's what I was doing. I found it difficult to concentrate with all the ambient noise and put my hands over my ears in order to focus on my thoughts and not get distracted. It was then that the thought occurred to me - is putting my hands over my ears in church the best way to hear God?
I started wondering how else I block out the sounds around me which could be the voice of God? I then wondered how would be the best way to listen for the Spirit?
- I think the first thing has to be to ask Him to come, and to listen for what He says when He does speak. Hands over ears are out!
- Try to listen with an open mind - no-one hears the answers they don't want to hear, as I know well.
- Perhaps knowing what He has done and how would be helpful? This would mean listening to testimonies, reading biographies, reading the Bible to find out what He has done in the past and for other people.
- At the same time, being open for Him to speak and act in different or unexpected ways. For all that the Holy Spirit lives inside every believer, I still find Him the most un-knowable of the Trinity.
- Since He is within and around us all the time, try to see Him in the world and in daily life. I think "retreating" to find God should not always be necessary if we can manage to be intentional in ordinary times and places.
Further points as they come to hand!
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