Woman to Woman: Learning to Listen For God

On a journey of deep listening, my goal throughout the month first centered on hearing God’s voice more clearly, and secondarily gifting others with compassionate listening. Creating space for moments of deep listening for God’s voice, I discovered listening when nature speaks, tunes my ears to nuances of God’s own voice.

Though many imagine the power of God’s voice speaking creation into existence; God’s voice within nature brings incredible peace to chaotic moments.

Yet even more than the power of peace to troubled hearts, listening when nature speaks invites us to hear God and others more clearly through the discipline of hearing with all our senses.

A fundamental principle of listening, silence fosters keen attention while enhancing understanding. Which was perhaps the idea behind James’ admonition to quick listening and slow speaking. (James 1:19-20)

Developing the skill of deep listening moves beyond superficial informational listening to a non-judgmental engagement, which also embraces the silence of the in-between. But listening in this way requires discipline of mind and attitude displayed in patience.

Learning the art of listening when silence speaks, helped me become comfortable in stillness and quiet both before God and while hearing others speak.

Diligent listening when nature speaks, improved my discernment of God’s voice, and increased my ability to engage in deep listening with others.

Nature offers a relaxing vibe pulling me into a place of easy rest, where listening becomes a pleasure filled experience free of judgement, performance, or effort.

Submitting to the stillness of a quiet encounter with creation, tunes my ears to simply hear, without compulsion to analyze or formulate a response. Imagine if we submitted to listening in the same way to God and others?

Of the many lessons God teaches us through creation, the art of listening is one we often overlook.

While some of my most intimate prayer times occur amid a nature walk or “nature rest”; times of deep intimacy and fellowship with God happen while listening in the embrace of creation.

No better place exists for the employment and benefits of mindfulness, than immersion in a nature surrounding.

We all love viewing wildlife, but seeing wildlife is often much harder than hearing wildlife. Stilling mind, body, and soul, heightens the ability for hearing even the faintest whispers of nature.

Create space for heading outdoors this week, whether in your yard, or a nature walk through your neighborhood, local park or woods. Try the exercises below as you open to nature improving your listening skills.

Whether outdoors or indoors, create uninterrupted space, fostering your ability to still, without distraction. If walking, go slowly, pausing now and then to listen. Begin with a time of slow, deep breathing, and prayer.

Petition God for ears to hear His voice within His creation and a heart to receive whatever He has for you in the moment when nature speaks. Keep in mind the following:

Curiosity. Remain open and curious about the sounds you hear, as well as the silence in between.

Non-judgmental. Avoid classification of sounds or experiences as pleasant or unpleasant.

Meditative. Avoid rushing to the next spot, sound, or experience; linger thoughtfully.

Intuitive. Avoid identification of sounds but listen more with your whole body; receive the sound simply as it is.

Receptive. Remain open to anything you hear, sound, word, or emotion.

Learning to listen when nature speaks, transforms the way we listen to God and others. The calming presence of creation teaches us the importance of stillness and rest in listening, while inviting us to go deeper.

Deep listening requires the surrender of analyzation in exchange for the patience of simply receiving, often without response.

Rarely coming to nature with a judgmental attitude or expected outcome, my heart learns the freedom of hearing things exactly as they are. Applying the same stillness, acceptance, and meditative approach, my heart remains open and receptive to God’s voice, and compassionate to the stories of others.