After graduating from Bible College in 1983, Cindy and I accepted a position in a small church. There was a couple who was part of this church with whom we built a friendship. We would get together with them on occasion and enjoyed each other’s company.
When we moved from that church, our relationship with them continued for a while but since we now lived in different states, distance and responsibilities made our contacts with them less frequent and eventually we were at the “Christmas Card” exchange level.
Therefore, we were a bit surprised when just a few years into our ministry at Murray, they contacted us and asked if they could come and visit. We had not seen them in over fifteen years. Of course we said yes and began making plans. They were coming on a Saturday, and since they were traveling several hours to get to us, we planned meals for the day and even made preparation for them to spend the night with us.
When they arrived, the chatter began. They told us about their church. We were updated on all that was happening in the lives of their children and grandchildren. They told us about their jobs. It was all informative, and we were glad to hear it.
But after about two hours of listening to them, he said, “Well its time we head back home.” And off they went. Cindy and I looked at each other and asked, “What just happened.” It was all pleasant enough, but we had not gotten a word in edgewise. In this situation, this was not just a cliché, it was the literal truth.
We would have loved to share about our family. We were hoping to bring them out and take a tour of our church facility. We would have enjoyed telling them about the ministry God allowed us to have at Murray. But we never had the chance! They never gave us time to speak.
I wonder if God ever feels this way when we meet with him? Imagine what it must be like to be God in heaven, with the most profound and complete knowledge about every topic in the universe. He has the wisdom that we need to solve all our problems. Unfortunately, we often bow our heads in prayer to communicate with him, and we do all the talking.
If we are going to be men committed to following our Lord with our entire being, we must learn to stop and listen to God. We can not expect a growing relationship with someone to whom we never listen. If we want God to lead our lives and transform us into his image, we must hear what he has to say. We are given this admonition in Ecclesiastes 5:1, Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Jesus gives us the same reminder in Matthew 6:7-8, “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Two important points: 1) The warning against “babbling” is telling us to quit our own talking long enough to hear from God. 2) The Father knows our needs before we pray. This is not saying we should not pray for our needs; this is commanded. But we do not have to spend so much time detailing our needs that we do not have time to hear from him.
Pray this prayer and then wait quietly. “God, what do you want to say to me?” You will know when he speaks to your heart and it will make a difference.