By Regina Marcazzo-Skarka
It’s 2024. Happy New Year!
I spent a good part of 2023 running around and doing all kinds of activities. I love having a lot to do and am grateful for the ability to do them – writing, tutoring, subbing, traveling, visiting, volunteering, etc. But my life would be more productive and pleasurable if I went about things differently.
It’s like everything I do is checking a box. I do all the “right” things. I pray and read my Bible first thing in the morning, write devotionals twice a month, and volunteer at the local food pantry, but is my heart in the right place? The problem I run into is that I always have so much going through my mind that I lose focus on my Creator and His will. It is all too easy for my thoughts to wander to my to-do list or my concerns and worries about family members, friends, the world, etc. I long to go on a silent retreat to retrain and calm my all-over-the-place mind. Do I take the time to be still and listen to God? Am I just barreling through life feeling rushed and unsatisfied, as if I can never do enough? What I do seems to be done in a rushed frenzy, and I often think my attitude is not pleasing to my Heavenly Father.
I am hoping for 2024 to be calmer, deeper, kinder, and filled with contentment no matter what is going on. I am not saying that I want to do less; I want to be still before my God and listen for His guidance. I want to sit outside in the morning and contemplate the beauty around me, the beauty that He created, and relish every minute waiting and listening to what He might have for me, what he might ask me to do.
I know that if I am still, I will be able to hear His voice much more clearly, and I do not want to miss what the Lord has for me so that I will know his will and be obedient to His desires for my day, year, and life. I also find comfort in knowing that whether I succeed at being still and listening, or not, God is always there for me, and He is there for you too! Isn’t it wonderful to know that His love fully surrounds and protects us? Here are a few Bible verses that are helpful.
Psalms 46:10-11: “….Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Proverbs 1:5: “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.”
Proverbs 18:13: “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”
Proverbs 2:2: “Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;”
How do you calm your mind to be still and focus on listening to God?
Listen: God is Always Speaking by Sharla Hallett
https://sharlahallett.com/listen-god-is-always-speaking/
Your Body Is Talking – Listen
https://ashleyolivine.com/your-body-is-talking/
Simple Is Better – Beginning the Year Listening by Dianne Vielhuber
https://simplewordsoffaith.com/2024/01/01/simple-is-better-beginning-the-year-listening/
Listen To What Your Limits and Questions Reveal by Lisa Crowder
https://lisacrowder.substack.com/p/listen-to-what-your-limits-and-questions
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