Genesis 3:8-9(NLT) informs us, “8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees. 9 Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”” We can derive from this passage that our Heavenly Father walked and talked with Adam and Eve often. He enjoyed their company and wanted to fellowship with them. He has not changed. God wants a relationship with every individual, and 1Timothy 2:4 tells us that He wants everyone to be saved through Jesus Christ and to understand the truth. He loves us all and has made a way through Jesus Christ for every living individual to be close to Him and to communicate with Him every day.
Talking to our Heavenly Father is the greatest thing that any of us will ever do. Hearing Him talk back boosts our confidence more than any other thing in life. Talking to God should be as natural to us as speaking and hearing our own voice. Talking with Him often enhances the intimacy in our relationship with God, and this is what He always wanted, but we have made communication with our Heavenly Father very complicated. He never intended for it to be, and we can see this very clearly as we examine the relationship He had with Adam, the first man.
God always intended and wanted communication between Him and us to be very natural. Romans 5:10 (NLT) says, “For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.” He established a relationship with us through Jesus Christ, and because of this, we can come into His presence and have a line of open communication every moment of each day, but we must remember always that a relationship is a two-way street. When we speak to God, He expects us to listen for His response.
We need to develop a healthy expectation that if we talk to God with honesty and reverence, He will speak to us in a way that pierces through all our doubts and fears, inspires our confidence, and comforts our hearts. If we ask Him a question, He will answer. When we ask Him for much needed direction, He will tell us the right way to go.
Ephesians 2:10(NLT) says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” We are God’s most valued possession. He created us and wants to do nothing but lavish His unfailing love upon us. Often, we feel unworthy of God’s time or that He’s too busy to bother with us, but nothing could be further from the truth. Our humility towards God should never separate us from Him, but it should draw us closer through His love and grace. He made it possible through Christ for us to humbly get in His face and stand boldly and bare before Him. When we surrender to this truth and recognize how extraordinary it is to spend time with Him, we will begin to carve out a space during our days that is only and totally for communicating with God.
God is always communicating with us and He never stops, so “are you listening” is the question each of us has to answer for ourselves. Sometimes the noise of our everyday cares and concerns gets in the way. God instructs us in Colossians 3:15(NLT), “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” When we have faith in God and trust and participate in the union we share with Him through Jesus Christ, our minds and hearts will be at peace, and we will be open to hear His voice when He speaks to us.∎
Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“Are You Listening?”, written by Reverend Fran Mack. Edits by Kim Times and K. Stephens for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2023. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.