Do You Hear What I Hear?

Do you hear what I hear? Do you hear God calling to you?

In his book, The Holy Longing, Fr. Ronald Rolheiser describes how all of us came from God and we are all longing to return to God. We may not experience that longing consciously each and every day, but it is still there—our holy longing. If you haven't read this book, I suggest you make it part of your Advent journey.

St. Augustine describes the longing this way: "You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you." James and Evelyn Whitehead, in the book Seasons of Strength, speak of the same longing: "In this life-long conversation with God we continue to hear the hints and rumors of who we might become, of what we are to do." How true!

I was recently listening to Julie Hoy's "Still Small Voice" and it made me think of this holy longing within me. Even with all the other voices that exist in our world, there is still the voice of God whispering in my ear. I can ignore it for only so long before I am drawn again to what God is saying to me. At times I turn a deaf ear to that "still small voice," but it has never left me completely. There is a longing within me to hear God's voice, to be with God again.

There's a still small voice
that I hear when I'm silent
And it speaks to the depths of my soul
And I know that if I'll
only take the time to listen
Then I won't be the same anymore.

God is calling you and me to something. We aren't always sure what God is saying. We don't always listen and understand. But if we stay open to God, God will speak to us. Yet as "Still Small Voice" reminds us, we have to pause, rest in silence, and give God some of our time. Even amidst the busy-ness of the holiday season, we must open ourselves to the voice of God and listen for God's calling in our lives.

For me, not being very good with silence, I have decided to set aside an evening for waiting, listening, praying, and resting in God's presence. I will build a fire in the fire place, turn on the tree lights, and open myself to the voice of my God. How will you open your ears and heart to God during Advent, this season of preparation and waiting? Will the "still small voice" of God get through the hustle and bustle of the season? Perhaps this simple prayer can be a part of Advent for you:

God of whispered voices,
thank you for calling me back to you,
giving me "hints and rumors" of who I am to become.
Help me to quiet my life enough to always hear your voice.
Help me to trust in your presence even when I am at my busiest.
May this season of Advent help to prepare my heart for the coming
of Christ, God-with-us.
May Christ's example help me to always open my life to you.
AMEN.

Spirit Compass reflections are developed in partnership
with the Center for Ministry Development.