THE CHALLENGE OF LISTENING TO GOD

For one not accustomed to it, any attempt at listening to the voice of God can seem quite burdensome. For the faith-filled person, however, it is quite the contrary. Like David, this person exclaims, "I delight in doing your will, O my God; your law is within my heart" (Ps 40:8). For any true child of God, each "heeding" is surcharged with joy-filled love. As St. John reminds us, "If anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him" (1 Jn 2:5). Not only is there a love-filled joy now, but there is also an accumulated eternal reward to be enjoyed in the hereafter (see John 4:36). This Spirit-spawned joy exults with the chorus, "All this, and heaven too!”

Did you ever notice that those who complain most against God and his providence are those who do not heed his voice when he speaks? Three times the author of Hebrews quotes the warning from Psalm 95: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." God told Zechariah how he dealt with the spiritually deaf: When I called they did not listen, so when they called, I would not listen" (Zec 7:12-13).

Whether God is speaking to us through Scripture, his laws, our conscience, the example of others, inspirations of grace, life-events, "coincidences" or "near-misses," or any of a hundred and one other means, let us never neglect to tune in with our hearts and minds—to listen, recognize, and heed his voice. Our very eternity may well be at stake.

This excerpt is from the book The Art of Loving God by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications, 1995. This and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.