Something I learned

The other day in my bible study, Discerning the Voice of God, I came across Hebrews 4:12 ~ "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

In my workbook there was a wonderful quote " When you read your Bible, receive it and savor it...like a love letter from God to you. Remember, you're reading in order to meet Someone. Ponder what you have read, and apply it to your present circumstances. Let it go down into the core of your being. And as you read, expect Him to commune with you." - Bruce Wilkinson.

Now, to tie these two thoughts together...I've been learning throughout this study, that God is always speaking. We just don't hear through all the noise in our lives. I've also been learning more and more how important it is to be in His word everyday. The Hebrews verse points out that the word of God is living and active. Wow! What a thought! Then it hit me, God is always speaking, but am I listening? Am I letting myself be too busy and distracted. It reminded me of my kids and how I talk to them and talk to them about the same things sometimes. Are they listening, are they getting it? When God called Samuel, Eli didn't immediately recognize that it was God calling, and he was the high priest. If anyone should have known, it would've been him. God was patient. He was persistent, and He was personal. He called Samuel by name, and he didn't finally say "Yo Kid! Wake up! I've called you 3 times already!" God didn't give up either. I take comfort in this. God will be patient with me when I'm not listening, or not able to easily recognize his voice. He will be persistent when it seems that "I'll never get it" .

So if God's word is living and active, then it has so much in its pages that pertains to my life, and I should probably check into it a little more. I haven't in the past because I get caught up worrying that I won't understand it, or that God has nothing to say to me today. That is such wrong thinking on my part. Another thing that I learned is that He calls us by name. I love it when someone says my name. I'm sure many people feel that way. I have to admit, I'm not good with names, and I'm not good at remembering to use someones name that I do know. I'm going to try harder to remember to greet others by their name.

I'm no theologian, these are just my thoughts that pass through my mind as I contemplate what I've learned and read. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.