Listening with Your Heart

1 Kings 19:11–12 (NIV)

The Lord told Elijah to stand on the mountain because He was about to pass by. A powerful wind came, followed by an earthquake and a fire. But the Lord was not in any of them. After the fire came a gentle whisper.

God is not limited to one way of speaking. He can speak through His Word, guide us by His Holy Spirit, and get our attention in ways we never expected. Elijah witnessed a mighty wind, an earthquake, and a fire. Yet in that moment, God chose to speak in a gentle whisper. Elijah had to listen for the voice God chose to use. He did not have to help God speak.

Sometimes I want direction so badly that I have trouble waiting. I pray, I listen, and then I begin filling the silence with the answer I hope to hear. Before long, I may be calling my own desire God’s direction.

I’ve worked with children and families for many years, and along the way I learned ventriloquism. A ventriloquist uses skill to make a puppet appear to speak. We know the person is supplying the words, yet for a moment the puppet seems to have a voice of its own.

I wonder if we sometimes become unintentional ventriloquists with God. We want Him to speak, and we sincerely want to follow Him. But in our eagerness, we begin supplying His words for Him.

I once heard someone say with great confidence that God had told them to build on a particular piece of property. They were ready to borrow money and move ahead in faith. But the land had serious safety concerns, and inspectors would not permit construction there.

I cannot know everything that person prayed or believed they heard. I do know those facts called for a pause. When we believe God is leading us, are we willing to listen to wise counsel, consider what is in front of us, and wait? Could we be so attached to where we want to go that we have stopped listening for where God is leading?

Another story has stayed with me from my time helping establish a church in Detroit. A dear older woman in the congregation drove a car that was barely holding together. After hearing a radio sermon about claiming what she wanted in faith, she prayed for a Cadillac. In time, someone generously gave her one.

She was certain the gift confirmed what she had heard from God. I was glad someone cared for her. But she could not afford the insurance, gasoline, or repairs. The car that looked like an answer became a burden.

That experience taught me to keep listening even when something I hoped for arrives. Receiving what I asked for does not mean I no longer need wisdom. Am I ready for the responsibility that comes with it? Have I waited for God’s direction, or have I rushed ahead because an opportunity appeared?

God may answer yes. He may answer no. And sometimes His answer is wait. Waiting can be especially hard when our intentions are good and we believe we are doing something for Him. But God does not need us to put words in His mouth. We can trust Him enough to keep praying, seek wise counsel, and let Him open the right door in His time.

There is another side to listening with our hearts. We need to listen carefully to people, too.

When someone is hurting, we may be eager to help. We want to offer comfort or a solution before they have finished telling us what is wrong. Sometimes we even tell them what we think they meant. Or we interrupt with a story about a similar experience in our own lives.

I understand that impulse. We want them to know they are not alone. But in that moment, they may need us to be quiet long enough to hear their story.

Just as I must be careful not to put words in God’s mouth, I must be careful not to put words in another person’s mouth. I can ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, listen gently, and trust Him to show me when it is time to speak.

When I believe God is leading me, these are some questions I want to ask:

• Does this line up with God’s Word?
• Does it honor the Lord?
• Have I listened to wise counsel?
• Am I willing to wait if the answer is not yet clear?
• Will the way I act show love to the people affected?

God can speak. I believe that with all my heart. The question for me is whether I am willing to listen with my whole heart—and give Him time to answer.