The bloggers at Spiritual Journey Thursday are writing about the spiritual focus of the community's One Little Words. This week, we are writing about Carol Varsalona's
One Little Word: LISTEN.
I like these words from Carol's post, "If you LISTEN in stillness, your ears will allow you to hear what silence is saying." As I began thinking about Carol's word this week, I was surprised to find very few scriptural references with the word listen. And then I remembered this favorite plaque:
Just as Carol advises us to "listen in stillness," this verse from Psalms 46:10 admonishes us to be still so that we can know God. Not an easy task in today's world filled with constant voices clamoring for our attention.
In a favorite inspirational book, Mitten Strings for God, Katrina Kenton begins her chapter on listening with these words, "In order to listen, we must first be quiet." She continues ". . . Listening involves making a choice - right now, for just a moment - to stop dead in your tracks. To stop moving, to stop talking, to stop making noise. As Madeleine L'Engle has said, 'When I am constantly running, there is no time for being. When there is no time for being, there is no time for listening.'"
And that brings me back to the counsel from Psalms - Be still - a necessary requisite for listening. I want to still the chaos of the day long enough to be still and listen so that I can hear the promptings of the spirit to guide my daily walk.
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ReplyDeleteRamona, thank you for sharing the plaque, the Psalm, and the book that allow me to ponder deeply about the quietude that I seek. You are right that we need to still the chaos of the day. I call that cluttered chaos because it distracts me from the real task of listening. I am so glad that you joined our community. It is one more voice to listen and share thoughts. I look forward to thinking deeply about your OLW stretch because I am always talking to teachers about stretching beyond their comfort zone to find a place of peaceful achievement.
ReplyDeleteThe Katrina Kenton and Madeleine L'Engle quotes are wonderful! You've gotten me interested in Mitten Strings for God, now! :-) Stillness, quiet, and listening - such difficult states to achieve these days, but what rewards when we do!
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading Margaret's post and have a similar question after reading yours. Can we listen without an action taking place? You mention we have to be still, stop talking, stop moving - all actions. After some thinking, I don't think listening is a solitary act. We have to "do something" in order to listen. Hmm.... Love that verse!
ReplyDeleteNice quotes to remind us that silence is necessary to listen. We don't do that enough. I tried meditation for Lent last year. It's really nice, but I lost that borrowed time. Maybe I should find it again.
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