Wednesday, Week 2 - Listening to God

"Listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom" (Job 33:33)

    Listening is to be cultivated and renewed each day. Our lives are too full and active to automatically allow for a natural flow of attentiveness. We cannot run through life and expect that we will hear what stirs deep within us or notice what begs our attention without regularly adjusting our listening antennae.
    God is present to us in the scriptures, the liturgical life of the church, our work, prayer, people, events, and nature. Not a person, place, or a moment is left out from divine revelation. Something of value for our growth is always being made known to us in the midst of our ordinary lives. This revelation stretches far beyond and much deeper than how we usually perceive life. Our spiritual development depends on our being alive and vigilant enough to hear the message of transformation that weaves through our daily existence.

    It is not an easy thing, to be able to listen in the midst of daily life. Sr. Joyce makes this claim, that it is possible to listen, not just with time set aside for silent prayer, but also in the midst of the hustle and bustle of every day activity. Sometimes I feel that I'm not so sure I'm able to do this -- that is why I've taken on this project! -- to force myself to take the time (almost) every evening to spend time with myself and my God in prayer. I'll have to take some time to prayer about the possibility of making prayer a constant in my life... even at 2 in the afternoon on a stressful work Wednesday, when all I want to do is either take a nap or grind through my work.
    I don't want to come across like my work is a grind. There are times that it feels that way, of course, but overall, it is rewarding, albeit a little bit tough (but what rewarding experience isn't tough?). I will admit, though, that the nature of the job doesn't particularly lend itself to spiritual development. In the end, though, I do agree with Sr. Joyce, that God is present in all places, including work. It may not be apparent in the moment, but I have faith that I am where I am for a reason. That realization is a peaceful blessing.