I was recently listening to a woman give her testimony. I had never heard it before, so I sat attentively listening to every word. Many times a person’s testimony will give you greater insight into the price paid for their anointing or even help you understand the passion behind their purpose. Only problem was, within the first three minutes of her testimony, she lost me. She didn’t lose me because I was in judgment of her, or because I was not understanding what she said, She lost me because it began to sound like one of the worst trials of my life to date. Everything she said cut me like a knife and I could feel tears burning at the rim of my eyes. I began breathing deeply to maintain my oxygen levels, something I had not had to do since we buried my mother. Fidgeting in my seat, I told myself, maybe this was a good time to visit the bathroom or maybe tip out for the evening. It was almost too much. But I could hear my spirit softly saying: "Just keep listening."
Reluctantly, I obeyed and kept listening. Within three more minutes, I was overwhelmed by God’s amazing grace. I was reminded of the way He takes the brokenness of our lives and turns things around for our good and His glory. I was not only blessed by her candid testimony, but I was also changed in how I listen. I realize that her testimony- though not pretty at all- has made her who she is today. It has molded her into a strong, vibrant, anointed woman! All I had to do to understand and benefit from her testimony was to Keep Listening.
Today I would like to encourage you to do the same.
Keep listening to your Children- Sometimes our kids can talk about everything and anything. I know mine can! It is easy to nod our heads and give an occasional grunt to make them think we hear them. But these conversations you allow them to have will train your ear to hear when they are hurting. It will train them to know they can trust you when they have life altering questions or decisions to make. No matter how much it seems like it is just chatter, as they grow up they will realize they have always had a listening ear- yours! So even when you don't like what you hear, … Just Keep Listening.
Keep Listening to Your Spouse- The funny thing about being in a relationship is that after a while we can get very familiar with them. Soon you can guess what they are thinking, you may be able to finish their sentences or may even just make decisions without their knowledge- knowing they will not be concerned. But people change! Ask anyone who has been married for a length of time. You have to be able to change with them, at least acknowledge the change. If you can't do that, you may find yourself living with a stranger that you were once very intimate with. Listening as a couple requires talking as a couple. You can’t hear what is not being said, but when it is said even past the immediate conversation… Keep listening.
Keep listening to God! Have you ever prayed for something thinking God was going to answer you quickly? It can be rather discouraging, especially if you had a self-made deadline for Him to keep! Well as difficult as it may seem, God does not always answer us the way we think He should. Many times He just wants our attention, He wants us to acknowledge Him in all our ways, not just the one thing that we want from Him. He wants our attention on Him and His desire and purpose for us. He basically wants us in a vibrant relationship with HIM! If you are still trying to get God to answer you quickly, He may not… but don’t give up, keep talking to Him, continue trusting Him and by all means….. Just Keep Listening!
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