Intentional Listening

"Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put My trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life"- Psalm 143:8 (NIV).

Sometimes, my prayers, are completely one-sided. I do all the talking. As a young girl, my Girl Scout leader used to plan team building activities for us girls. Trying to build trust, we would rearrange a room of furniture, add a few obstacles, blindfold a girl, who hadn't been part of the stage setup, and then have a fellow scout lead her through the obstacle course using only her voice. The blindfolded scout had to intently listen, little talking, and move slowly. It wasn't designed to see who could get through the obstacle course the fastest, it was all about relational building and strengthening. We learned to listen and trust the voice, did only what the voice said, and we made it across the room. Our lives sometimes feel like that rearranged room. We have to cross unknown terrain and we're just not equipped for the journey. We can't be one-sided in our prayers, or impatient; because, hurrying is not wise, nor the most pain free course of action. We need guidance, which only comes through praying and listening intently for God's voice, then applying His directions. We overcome obstacles when we trust His unfailing love and entrust Him with our lives. It is at our most challenging moments that we need to make a choice: intentional listening or turning a deaf ear.