Navigating Silent SeasonsSample

Many of us do not hear clearly from God because we are distracted. We live in an era of mass distraction, constantly bombarded with news, notifications, and social media. We have access to the entire world at our fingertips, and we can know what everyone is doing at any given moment.

While technology has its benefits, including watching sermons and consuming Christian content, it can also become a distraction. We can easily drown in a sea of various streams and platforms. But if we’re not careful, these distractions can replace the precious time we should spend with God.

In the same way that it’s hard to hear from God when you’ve already decided what you want to do, it’s also hard to hear from God when you’ve sought everyone else except God for what you should do. Practically speaking, it’s like trying to hear someone when you’re on the phone in a crowded space. It’s not until you separate yourself that you can clearly communicate with the person.

The Bible tells us that Jesus often retreated to quiet places to pray. This tells us that Jesus needed a distraction-free environment to spend time alone with God. If Jesus needed to do it, we should do it too. Strategic separation is often necessary for clear communication to take place.

I pray this encourages you to consider what distractions may hinder you from hearing God clearly — whether it’s excessive television, your social circle, social media, or even the abundance of Christian content available. Remember that there is no substitute for His word and spending time with Him.

Prayer: Lord, help me identify what may be blocking my ability to hear you clearly. I desire to eliminate every distraction so that I may hear you and spend time with you effectively. Help me refocus my attention on you and what you desire to share with me. In Jesus’ name, amen.