It's Noisy in Here!

In the noise and confusion of day-to-day living, do we really stop and listen to what God is trying to tell us?  This noise and confusion doesn’t necessarily have to be audible commotion; it can be continuous thinking or even uncontrollable worrying.  I know for me personally, my mind is constantly wrapped up in thoughts of the day or thoughts about my future.  What words from the Lord have I missed out on because my mind was wrapped up in the noise and confusion of the hour?

This thought recalls to my mind the story of how God spoke to Samuel.  1 Samuel 3:4 says that one night before he had gone to sleep, the “Lord called Samuel.”  Thinking it was his teacher, Eli, Samuel ran to him and said, “You called.  I’m here.”  Eli must’ve said, “Um, sorry Sammy, but it wasn’t me.  Go back to bed.”  So Samuel went back to bed, but he heard his name again!  So again he goes to Eli, thinking it was him.  Eli says, “Sam, I didn’t call you.  You sure your hearing is okay?  Go back to bed.”  Samuel goes back to bed and again hears his name.  He goes to Eli once more, and by this time, Eli realizes that Samuel isn’t crazy and that God is the one who is calling Samuel’s name.  Eli says to Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if He [God] calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9).  Samuel followed Eli’s instructions and when he heard God call his name for the fourth time he said, “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).  God then proceeded to tell Samuel some important news.  We find out later that as Samuel grew, God “revealed Himself to Samuel through His word” (1 Samuel 3:21).

Most times, I feel like Samuel, in that I can’t hear beyond the noise of the day.  So many thoughts consume me that I don’t take time to truly stop and listen to what God wants to tell me.  I’m so thankful God is a patient and forgiving God who waits for me to shut off all the commotion so that I can focus on Him.  In His presence is knowledge, wisdom, understanding, life, peace, joy, love, strength, and the list goes on and on.  I love Psalm 16:11 that says if I go into His presence, He “will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of His presence and the pleasures of living with [Him] forever.”  In this season of my life, I am learning patience and “waiting upon the Lord.”  How can I “wait upon Him” if I don’t stop and listen?  Hmm…makes ‘ya think, doesn’t it!?!

Turning off the noise depends on me.  When that happens, like Samuel, I can truly say “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”