Mobile phones ringing, loud music playing in shops, lifts and hotels, T.V. commercials everywhere, traffic noise, aeroplanes ...our ears are continually assaulted by noise! It is increasingly difficult to find the peace and quiet we need to listen. Listening is one of the most important skills we need to develop if we are to communicate effectively. If we want to have meaningful relationships we must listen to our families, our friends, our community and, most importantly, to God.
Recently Jane and I had the experience of being "called out" by the church family to join the Ministry Team. We were both amazed and, quite frankly, terrified by the prospect. But after talking to our families and friends and listening to Simon and Richard, in great humility and with trembling hearts, we decided to go forward, trusting that the church family had listened to God.
Simon and Richard have been teaching us about prayer over the last few weeks. They have been encouraging us to listen to as well as speak to God.(re: Richard's sermon on 4th Feb.)
In the Old Testament Samuel had to learn to recognise God's voice. He thought Eli was calling him when in fact it was God. He listened carefully and his immediate response was: "Speak for your servant is listening." (1Sam. v.10)
At St. Martin's we have many opportunities to listen to God. The Taize service is one, where there is time, space and peace to retreat from the noise of the world. Father Roger of Taize said: "A moment of silence, even very short, is like a holy stop, a sabbatical rest, a truce of worries."
Let's resolve today to shut out the noise and distractions of modern life and listen more closely to God. Only then will we truly be able to discern God's will for our future here at St. Martin's.
God bless, Jackie.
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