Recently I found that I was unable to hear out of one of my ears. A cold, led to an ear infection, then to a long period of ringing, and almost a total loss of hearing in my right ear. I never realized how much of a difference being able to hear clearly made in my everyday life.

After three weeks of my hearing not returning, I was getting a bit concerned. I was starting to think about all the things that I might have to stop doing – can I do my office manager job effectively, can I still teach my Sunday School Class, will I still be able to sing in the choir? All these thoughts in my mind…then a still small voice said to me, “Those things are important but have you been listening to Me?”

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not hearing “voices” but, God will at times allow us to go through things to help draw us back to Him. Remind us of our need to be close to Him so we can hear His voice

I was physically making an effort to focus on what others around me were saying. I also made it a priority to make sure that my speech was not overpowering, because when you can’t hear yourself, you often speak louder than needed. I was putting in the effort to make sure I could hear what was happening around me physically.

But how was I doing spiritually? Was I listening to what God wanted me to hear with the same effort?

I can honestly say that I was not putting in the same effort in, when it came to spiritual things. You might be saying to yourself, “I thought you have been saved for over 30 years?” Yes, I have, but I am still human and a still a sinner who gets my priorities mixed up at times. I was not listening carefully. But our God is faithful, even when we are not.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

God helps us through these mixed-up times. The Lord will use things in our life to make us “examine” ourselves and get us back on track.

2 Corinthians 13:5a Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.

Lamentations 3:40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

So, my question for you is, “Are you listening?” It is never too late to turn again to the LORD.