We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. (Heb. 2:1)
How often do we forget a sermon the day after we hear it? How often do we forget Scripture right after we have read it? The human mind and memory are not perfect, so unless we have photographic memory, we will not be able to remember everything. However, we must ask: How intentional are we being about truly listening to and applying God’s teaching in our lives?
We are not finished when we become Christians. Rather, we have just begun. We have just begun a life of learning and growing, a life of becoming more like Jesus. In order to live this life, we must listen for God’s teaching and correction, so that we do not drift away. God does not leave us to do this on our own; he gives us the gift of his Word that we can apply to our lives. The amazing thing about God’s voice is it is not restricted to the words we find in Scripture. God’s voice can be found in the words of a pastor, through worship songs, through other people, and even through nature.
We must pay attention. It isn’t a question as to whether God is speaking; it’s a question as to whether we are listening. Dive deep into Scripture and into sermons and into conversations. Listen carefully, and you will hear God’s voice.
Begin to listen for and apply God’s teaching in your life.
Ethan Zent is from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He’s studying worship leading and pursuing Wesleyan ordination at Kingswood University.
© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
