Do you ever go to church and sit down in the back of the room and then start listening to the preacher and then realize…uh oh he’s talking to me? Do you hear his words and feel your heart race, blood drain from your face, and look down because you feel like in the midst of an E N T I R E room of people, he is looking and talking directly to Y O U. That’s always my favorite type of church service. Knowing that you’re struggling in an area and God used someone else to speak directly to your heart.

This happened to me yesterday. We sat down after praise and worship and realized the regular preacher, who we love to hear wasn’t going to be there today. It was another preacher, something had come up and he had to take the stage today instead of the usual preacher.

Today, his sermon was on Shame. He talked about how we handle shame and what triggers both men and women when it comes to shame. You see the night before my husband and I had gotten into an argument, a stupid, pointless argument and we went to bed angry with one another. This is something we N E V E R do. We always talk it out and do our very best to never go to bed upset with one another. But, a stupid fight blew up; and we went to bed angry. I’m not sure if you’re this way, but if I go to bed angry I always wake up angry. You see, this stupid argument has now rolled over into a new day. Another day of a stupid, pointless, R I D I C U L O U S argument.

We walked into church that morning and unexpectedly got told to quit being stupid. The preacher spoke and spoke and both of us listened relentlessly. I couldn’t get enough. I didn’t even pray for an answer or a solution yet. I hadn’t even asked God to ease my soul. I hadn’t even vented to God like I usually do when I’m angry or frustrated. But, in good faith – I went to church; and I listened.

You see, the key here is that I gave God my full attention; I made it a point to L I S T E N.

Even if we haven’t asked for it, even if we are not expecting an answer. God listens to us, he listens to our thoughts and he knows what we need. All we have to do is listen. He uses so many different things to talk to us – whether it be a song on the radio, a random preacher giving a random sermon, or an article showing up on your timeline.

God, thank you for hearing us. Thank you for listening even when we’re not speaking. Help us to open our hearts and hear your words. Help us to listen for your voice in times of need.

| Proverbs 3:6 Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. |