I sit on the porch of my room at the Keeter Center and stare at the hills in the distance. I’ve come here to find quiet because I’ve been in a season of noise. So many voices. So much to do. Can you relate?
My natural tendency when life gets loud is to try harder. I act like my efforts are a megaphone that can get me the affirmation and attention I think I need. But here in this place God reminds me what He wants most is for me to simply listen.
So I pull out my journal and surrender to the stillness…
God whispers that I’m loved. He reassures me I’m not alone. He tells me He has a plan for my life. He promises I’m going to be okay. He says I don’t have to make anything happen because obedience is success. Slowly the lies I’ve been hearing are replaced by the truth I desperately need.
You might think I journal regularly since I’m a writer. And I used to in my childhood. But these days it seems all my words are for public reading. As I head home from my trip, I know that has to change. So now each morning I begin my day by taking time to listen. And it has made a huge difference.
Because when I don’t listen I think I need to have all the answers. When I don’t listen I think the world rests on my shoulders. When I don’t listen anxiety and fear chase me until I’m weary. When I don’t listen I don’t have anything worthwhile to say to others.
I am not called to be a writer first–I’m called to be a listener. Then my role is simply to pass on what I hear. And whatever you do, you are called to be a listener too. It’s only as we hear God’s heart that we can encourage each other. It’s only as we hear God’s heart that we can remember what’s true. It’s only as we hear God’s heart that we find the courage we need for what He’s calling us to do.
I’m sharing a gentle challenge today: Wherever you are, pause for just a few moments and ask, “God, what do You want to speak to my heart today?” Write down what He whispers to you in His still, small voice (it will probably be through His Word). Then share that truth with someone else in some way today.
We don’t need any more noise in our lives; we just all need to know the God who speaks to us with love every single day. “Call to Me and I will answer you” {Jer. 33:3}.
XOXO
Holley Gerth
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The Better Together Collection has some beautiful tools like the journals above {which I personally use and love} that will help you listen to God’s heart, remember what’s true and encourage others.
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- Truth to tweet: “God says you don’t have to make anything happen because obedience is success.” {click to tweet}
- Subscribe for posts and free goodies.
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Welcome to the Coffee for Your Heart weekly link-up! You’re an encourager so I’m asking you to pour out a little love with your words every Wednesday {link-up goes live at 5:30am CST}. Simply write an encouraging blog post and then share it here. Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.
Pretty please use this button in your blog post so others can easily join in with us {html code in right sidebar}. And when you link up your post, take a moment to leave an encouraging comment on the one that’s linked up just before yours. Thanks, friends!
I’m having Coffee For Your Heart with my friend Holley Gerth
{click to tweet that you’re joining me here today}
