Hearing Enhanced or Hearing Impaired?

Sorry for not posting last week. I was sacrificing for God on the beach with my good friend Stacey and his high school group doing camp at Bigstuf camp in Panama City, FL. We had a great week. I introduced one student to Christ, met with another about a situation in his life that we have in common, and, with Stacey, met with another student about the possibility of surrendering his life to student ministry. Plus. . .we had incredible worship, weather, and fellowship.

Ok - on to today's post.

During the twelve plus hour ride to Panama City I was thinking about how much more sensitive I have become to God's voice and leading in my life as I travel through the valley of life. But I wonder, is it always like this? Do we valley experiencers tend to be more sensitive to God's small, still voice? Or is there the possibility of tuning God out all together or at least losing track of what his voice sounds like?

If I know one thing there is always an exception to the rule. So yes, I believe we can tune God out while we are in the midst of the valley. In other words, we become hearing impaired. I'm not completely sure how this happens, except to say that it could happen when we become angry, depressed, frustrated, or insecure. We could also become hearing impaired if/when we experience guilt or shame about being in the valley. There are probably as many reasons as there are people in the valley for tuning God out. Let's just say that if we become hearing impaired while we are in the valley it's our fault. God is always there. It says in James 4:8, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." God is waiting for us, not the other way around. He has given us the Good Shepherd, Jesus, to guide us through the valley. The question is will we listen for his voice and follow him when he leads?

Some of you have heard the voice of God. You are hearing enhanced. What has that been like for you? What would you share with other valley experiencers to help them hear God's voice? I would say:
Don't rush it.
Find some quiet places to go to hear from God.
Find where or how you best connect with God - nature, solitude, with other believers.
(for me it's my office with nothing on but my desk lamp - yes I do wear clothes, sometimes)
Journal - it helps me sort out things as I listen for God's voice.
Don't get frustrated with the progress - God has his own time table.

Hope this helps. I hope and pray that you will begin listening for God's voice. It helps in the valley to be able to hear. It keeps us from being fodder and prey for lifes temptations and trials.

Listening and learning,
Mike