I’m a terrible listener when it comes to my relationship with God. Very good at talking, not as skilled when it comes to hearing God’s voice.
Sure, there have been moments over the years when I had a clear ‘sense’ of God’s desire for me. There have also been a few incidents where I could specifically tell that God was communicating with me. These moments though, if I’m fully honest, don’t come very often.
This is fairly ordinary when it comes to the spiritual life.
And, unsurprisingly, it’s not uncommon in our human relationships too. We toil, go through the mundane, do the work. This is the norm. Occasionally, something will bubble up to the top that is different, feels different, looks different but most of the time, it’s ordinary.
Ordinary is just fine. God loves ordinary and we can too.
The longing though for intimacy does nudge us towards God. We can embrace the ordinary and yet still be open to those moments when God provides more.
Lately, I’ve been stepping out on a limb when I pray. I call it the Daily Question. I crawl out on the branch and ask God what He has for me today. A message? A section from Scripture? A clear sense of direction? A foggy intuition?
This is wildly scary and at the same time, an exhilarating endeavor. Imagine walking up to the palace, knocking on the front door and asking the King for a daily bit of inspiration.
And yet that’s what I do. And, to my delight, God has answered.
Some days, it’s a reminder to re-read the day’s Gospel. On other days, pure silence. In the days in between, a slight hint of message, a faint glimmer of clarity. I’m still learning to savor the quiet days as much as the ones which are bright and clear. The Lord is there in both and leads me through these moments. This practice has taken me decades to learn.
When was the last time you asked God a question? What did it feel like and for what did you ask?
Why not try using this method of the Daily Question today? Don’t just shoot up to the Lord a random question at a moment’s notice. Rather, dispose yourself to listening by quieting yourself and softening your heart to hear what God has to say.