Listen to the Wind

“Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing...” (Revelation 2:7 MSG) 

In the pre-dawn hours, I stepped out into the front yard with the dog. The sky was still gray, but there was just the slightest hint of the light yet to come. I heard the fluttering of wings before I saw the shadowy figure of a dove flying from the oak tree to the blue spruce. My eyes were drawn to the quivering leaves of the poplar across the street. That’s when I noticed the breeze. I turned slightly and allowed it to anoint my face. I sensed God’s presence.

“We must be open to the possibility of God’s addressing us in whatever way he chooses, or else we may walk right past a burning bush instead of saying, as Moses did, ‘I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up’ (Exodus 3:3). I say in all seriousness that we may mistake the voice of God for the sound of someone’s radio turned up too loudly, for some accidental noise or — more likely still — for just another one of our own thoughts.” (Dallas Willard, Hearing God)

The mind can hear whispers that are inaudible to ears. Yet, not everything we sense is of divine origin. It takes spiritual discernment to distinguish truth from half-truths. If you are set in your ways and desire to be in control, you can desensitize yourself to the Spirit. It is tempting to envelop yourself in the cacophony of the world and whatever confirms your own biases. 

Learn to filter out the noise and hone in on frequencies that are beyond your auditory perception. Listen to the stillness. Pray for wisdom and guidance. Keep your inner and outer ears open. Pay attention. Remain attuned to the voice of God.  Feel the Spirit moving.