Listening Aloud

This year, I have the privilege of serving as the clergy partner for a ministerial intern from a local seminary. In our first meeting of the semester, we spent some time talking about the importance of personal devotion and theological reflection. One of the most valuable practices for a person who seeks to advance in any area of their life is dedicated, set aside time for introspection and quiet listening for divine guidance. But the reality is that dirty dishes, back to school nights, carpools, and piles of laundry don’t always lend themselves to quiet listening. Not to mention, those of us who serve in local churches and community organizations also have to balance meetings, projects, and a host of other time consuming tasks. So when we finally break the binding on our bible to “hear from Heaven,” we often awake to “sugar plum fairies dancing in our heads.” So, how do we balance competing priorities and still find time for holy listening? Continue Reading