My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

~John 10:27 NIV

When I lived in Houston, Texas, a Christian radio station bought several billboards that said, “God Listens.” I still listen to their station, although I now live in Tennessee. After being reminded of their slogan recently, I decided that listen would be my word for 2025.

Our Talk with God

During my quiet time, after meditating on a passage, I ask God to speak to me, helping me to hear and discern His voice. Here’s how it usually works:

Me: Good morning, Lord. I desire to hear from You today. What do You want me to learn from this passage? Give me wisdom and spiritual understanding (Colossians 1:9).

Silence.

Me: Is today garbage day? Oh, I need to add bananas to the grocery list. Shoot, do I have a doctor appointment this morning?

I give up listening, hoping God is a better listener than I am. But because I committed to listening throughout the year, I continued to practice this silence. Then one day, I heard the following:

Me: Good morning, Lord. What do You want me to learn from this passage? How can I walk in a manner worthy of You and please You (Colossians 1:10)?

Silence.

God: Have I told You I love You this morning?

Silence.

God’s Talk with Us

Me: Not yet, Lord.

God: Sally, I loved you before the foundation of the earth, while you were still in your mother’s womb. My love for you will not fail. Do you believe this?

Me: Yes, Lord, I believe this.

I don’t know why it stunned me to hear God speak. The conversation was not at all what I expected, but I knew God was speaking to me. It was not my thoughts because it was a message I needed to hear. How did I know this? While growing up, I never heard my parents say the words “I love you, Sally.” All those unspoken words added up to the erroneous belief that I was not loved. But after forgiving my parents, especially my mom, and months of counseling, God healed me.

God is still healing me during this time of listening. The place where He speaks to me most often is through the reading and studying of His Word. Additionally, by shutting the doors to all distractions and disciplining my thoughts to think His thoughts, I’m training myself to listen to His voice.

Friends and family may look at me askance when I tell them what God said. Yet, God says in His Word, “My sheep listen to my voice.” Sheep recognize the familiar and safe voice of the shepherd. And we can learn to recognize the familiar and safe voice of Jesus by stilling our minds and spending time with Him.

Take Time to Listen

When I took the time to listen, I repeatedly heard God tell me how much He loves me. He told me He’s making up for all the years I didn’t hear these three powerful words. He wants me to be rooted in this truth: I am loved by my Father in heaven. The Creator of the heavens and earth. The same God who spoke to King David, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Noah, and the other giants of faith.

This same God who listens to you desires to talk to you, too. He has specific truths and treasures to share with you and for you.

Take time daily to listen to God.

Father, I desire to hear from You. So, quiet my thoughts so I can focus on You and discern Your voice from mine.

 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: Listen: Sally Cressman: All Rights Reserved.