Being ready & willing to listen

Hear: perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something)

Listen: give one's attention to a sound

People often use hear and listen in a synonymous fashion, when in fact that they are completely different. To hear someone is the physical act of hearing what they say, to listen is to mentally pay attention to what someone is saying.

In the day & age we live in now, it is especially important to master the art of listening. This sounds so easy, but when you think about the amount of constant distractions and noise in our lives it makes sense. It is so easy to miss out on what is going on around us when we are constantly on our phones, watching TV, working on a project, etc. instead of taking a step back and just listening.

I'm not just talking about listening to the people around us (although that is very important too) but more importantly listening to God. So many times in my life I have found myself praying for a sign, I get the sign, and I ignore it because I am not yet ready and willing to listen. I'm over here like "I hear you God, butttt i'm going to do it my way first, we'll talk in a couple days when it doesn't work out." When I could have avoided so many struggles and so much pain if i stopped just hearing and started listening.

Over the past few months I have struggled figuring out what exactly I want to do with my life. I have always known that I want to work with less fortunate kids and be able to be a role model and support system to them, but I was going about it all wrong.

I called my mom last Wednesday and said "Mom, I think I had an epiphany last night," because I finally listened to God. I was volunteering with at-risk students through a program at my church and as I was helping hand out school supplies and dinner to these kids, I would listen to their stories and my heart would hurt. My heart would hurt because so many of them talked about their dreams and how they want better for them and their future family, they just didn't know how to get it. I sat there listening and just kept thinking about how all these kids need is someone to look up to, guide them and teach them, and help them believe in themselves to change their paths.

That night I went home and prayed just like I do every other night, but instead of just complaining and listing out everything that I want God to do for me or to change in my life, I took a second to reflect and think about everything God has been pointing me towards. I felt what God was placing on my heart and in my head that night and now I'm listening by pursuing my graduate degree in education and becoming a teacher, a friend, and an advocate for these kids.

Everyone's story is different, but the one thing that does not change is the fact that God is always working and he is always talking to us, we just have to be ready and willing to listen.

Sincerely,

KU :)