Listening and Mediators

"Once [the Isrealites] learned a little about God, they realized that being in his presence was risky business and told Moses so: 'You speak to us, and we will hear; but let not God speak to us lest we die.' (Exod. 20:19)"

"The history of religion is the story of an almost desperate scramble to have a king, a mediator, a priest, a pastor, a go-between. In this way we do not need to go to God ourselves. Such an approach saves us from the need to change, for to be in the presence of God is to change."

-Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth

Mr. Foster's words struck a cord with me the moment I read them. This is something I do. I seek out people, mentors, my mother, before turning to God. I assume that he will not answer me, or perhaps that I will not understand his answer, or hear him speaking, so I turn to people. People that I have placed on a pedestal, or respect, or see as a spiritual authority in my life. Jesus says "Seek and ye shall find." It is as simple as that - a promise that he is available to us if we seek him. Listening doesn't seem like seeking, but it is. It is placing yourself in a position to receive advice, to receive knowledge, to receive direction, instruction, and insight. It is a sign of respect. It is a sign of honor. It proves that you find someone worthy. Foster also quotes 1 Samuel 8:7 "They have rejected me from being King over them." This is the Lord speaking! We reject him so often by not listening, by not being available either in body or spirit to follow after him. I don't want to reject anyone even people I don't necessarily like, and yet I have wounded Christ, the most important person in my life, many many times, as I have chosen to impatiently barge ahead instead of asking and then listening to his words. In so doing I have also unknowingly wounded myself. So I will seek and I will find. I will listen, and I will wait.

He "loves like a hurricane" - David Crowder Band

I have been thinking a lot about listening to God lately, and so of course the sermon on Sunday was about listening and the study we are doing tomorrow night is about listening. I don't often try or practice listening. Thinking, pondering, mulling is easy. But listening, being still? Being quiet? I think this is a huge thing. I think this is what God really wants, and He is pursuing it for me. I haven't been sleeping, hence the posting at one in the morning, and I can't help but think that He wants something. That this disquiet has some sort of purpose. Perhaps I am wrong. More prayer, more patience, more seeking. He will make Himself known or conquer the one that is pestering His sheep. I simply need to wait, to rest in His arms, to be close so that I can hear Him. Worry rears its ugly head. Rest. Jesus proved over and over again that He knows what we are thinking, He knows we fall asleep while praying, He knows our racing erratic thoughts that aren't tame enough to pray a straight line, and He knows our fears. Confession and praise. Waiting for the Lord to reveal His plan, waiting and learning to be still and listen.