Just like the video, people struggle with hearing the voice to the Author of the story. We know we probably should get more out of it, but we have our own interpretations of what’s really going on.

The truth is, the Author is always speaking. We often times hear him, but choose not to listen.

We struggle with issues like:

Control - he may tell us to go to Uganda, don’t want that!
Guilt or Shame - we think our past failures have disqualified us from the story
Excuse not to Succeed - success may require that I change. I’m not ready for that.
Fear - there’s an element of the unknown… what could happen?

So instead of listening to the Author, the one that created us, knows the best for us and desires the best for us becomes the very one we try to avoid.

Examples include:

Music- gotta have my tunes on 24/7, mp3 player in my ears
Television- It’s on, all the time, even if I’m not watching it
Sports- whether I play them, follow them, or watch them, it consumes me
Work- I’m a work-a-holic, what can I say
School- Life-long student going to class after class but never really getting anywhere
Exercise- overly obsessed with nutrition, health and well being
Hobbies- all spare time is devoted to this particular interest

It’s not that these things are bad, but that they become the hindrances from what we truly want. The key to listening starts with getting quiet, discovering stillness.

Our thoughts, emotions and ego get so wrapped up with the life around us that can’t slow down. Even worse, we get so exhausted that during the down time, all we want to do is sleep. Furthermore, anytime we do devote to trying to connect with the Author becomes just another line item on the to-do list of life.

What if you could stop trying, struggling or STRIVING to listen to the Author and instead, took on a positon of letting go, relaxing and YIELDING to what’s already inside of you.

“He must increase, I must decrease” as the old writings speak… another place, it’s written, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

God doesn’t usually speak audibly. In fact, there’s some writings that express His communications with us as “spontaneous thoughts, visions, feelings, or impressions”… which would imply that the entire process is more of a “flow” than a “formula”.

The challenge is then to find a place in your life to FLOW: Journal; Paint; Go for Walks; Write; Turn off the radio; Dream; or even Feed the ducks. Do whatever it takes to break the chaos in your life to connect with the Author.

What would happen if you spent the next few months practicing this until it becomes a natural way of life? Try it and let me know what happens.