Today marks 22 years of marriage for my husband and me. Over the years, we’ve replayed this scenario almost weekly:
Me: Don’t forget that this weekend, we are going to…
An hour later…
Husband: What are we doing this weekend?
Cue my frustration. Cue the look. (Wives, you know the look I’m talking about.)
Now, I have no doubt that my husband loves me wholeheartedly (who else could put up with me for 22 years?!). However, I also have no doubt that my husband doesn’t always listen wholeheartedly.
We communicate. He hears me, but listening takes a bit more effort.
Hearing Without Listening: A Reflection
And then I wonder—how often does God speak, and I hear Him without truly listening? Could it be that those moments when I feel like God isn’t hearing me are actually the times I’m not fully listening to Him? Could those be the seasons when I feel stuck in waiting for an answer?
Cue my frustration.
The waiting-and-wondering moments often catch me off guard. They find me in the middle of my busyness. I’m productive. I’m wholeheartedly pursuing…something. And yet, I’m met with silence.
The “Silent” Years in History
History calls the 400 or so years between the Old Testament and the New Testament the “silent” period. But a closer look at history reveals those years were anything but silent! Those were the years of Aristotle’s philosophy, Alexander the Great’s conquests, and the Roman Empire’s rise.
Granted, the label “silent” probably refers to the absence of new scripture during that time. But was God truly silent? I argue He wasn’t. The real question is: who was listening?
Seeking God Wholeheartedly
Scripture assures us that when we seek the Lord wholeheartedly, we will find Him. We will hear Him.
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13, ESV
Imagine living in an era shaped by the towering presence of Aristotle, Alexander, and the Caesars. The world must have been overwhelmingly loud, with new ideologies reshaping daily life and culture.
Fast Forward to Today…
With advancements in AI, groundbreaking scientific discoveries, and medical innovations, our world is bubbling with new ideologies and rapid change. Every aspect of our lives is impacted at breakneck speed.
Some of these changes are amazing—think of the progress in medicine, the efficiencies from AI, and the breathtaking discoveries in space exploration. And yet, amid all this, there are moments when God seems silent.
Sometimes, I realize I’m seeking things other than God…wholeheartedly. I seek how AI can make my life easier. I seek how technology can make my life more comfortable.
Cutting Through the Noise
In a fast-paced world, how do we ensure we’re listening to God? How do we cut through the noise and remember that God is probably not truly silent?
1. Identify Truth
First, we must work hard to identify Truth. The world is loud, and it often tries to redefine truth or sell us the lie of “relative truth.” “What’s true for you?” it asks. But Scripture is clear about Truth. If we want to hear God, we must seek Truth wholeheartedly.
This quote from Ligonier gives us a definition for truth:
Truth is that which conforms to reality as it is perceived by God. He knows all things exhaustively, and so we can trust anything He reveals in Scripture. Truth is not defined by our own subjective standards; it is determined by the Source of truth Himself. (“God is Truth“)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6, ESV
2. Saturate Our Minds with Scripture
Second, we must soak our minds in Scripture. While we can’t control the volume of the world, we can intentionally amplify God’s Word in our lives.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2, ESV
3. Create Space to Be Still
Finally, we must create space to be still. My husband often doesn’t hear me because I’m talking to him while he’s watching a video, walking to the garage, or cooking dinner. When we’re both still, communication is so much clearer. Listening becomes easier.
Be still, and know that I am God.
Psalms 46:10a
Preparing Our Hearts for the Psalms Study
As we prepare to launch our Psalms study in just a few days, let’s commit to seeking the Lord wholeheartedly. Let’s cling to Truth, saturate our minds with Scripture, and embrace stillness. God will do the hard work. He will reveal what we need to know. His Word is active and alive. All we need to do is listen. He is anything but silent.
A Question for the New Year
How will you make space to hear Him in the new year?
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