I’ve known my best friend for 12 years, I’ve been married to my husband for 42 years, and I’ve been my mother’s daughter for 60 years. Because of how close I am to them, it’s second nature to try to finish their sentences. And there are days I can successfully do so; however, when I try finishing God’s sentences, I often come up short. At least, that’s what I heard from Him today during my walk.
Stop Finishing God’s Sentences
I’m currently participating in a challenge to get in 10K steps a day. Most days that requires me to take a 30-45 minute walk to complete my daily total. I decided to make my walks contemplative. Since Saturday, I’ve been focused on active listening. I began asking Him to help me tune out the distractions. It was easy to hear cars passing, people talking, dogs barking, birds singing, or my own thoughts. But, it takes effort to hear Him whisper, especially when my thoughts are so loud. I’m grateful to hear His voice through scripture;
“Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.” Luke 8:18 CSB
Take Care How You Listen
I have never heard God speak in an audible voice, but I had a strong impression of Him saying this to me; “If you want to take care how you listen, then stop finishing MY sentences.” Honestly, it caught me off-guard. And then it made me cry. I thought of times on the day of a speaking engagement when He changed my notes. Not that my Bible study and research was forsaken, but He finally got me to see things from a different perspective. My toxic habit was to take off running when I got a topic. Or I’d chase a rabbit trail because I thought there was a hidden gem when His message was simple and plain.
Walk With Me
Do you have a habit of finishing God’s sentences, or is it just me? I’ll be working on how to actively listen as I walk. If you’d like to join me on my journey, come to my Pray Sweat Eat Repeat Instagram account. I’ll be sharing the prompts I hear and glean from my daily time with Him. You don’t have to commit to 10K steps a day, just go at your pace, listening to Him as you walk!