Life is loud! So many things shout for your attention; work, friends, news, noise.

But if you want peace, you have to slow down. You need to make space for the one voice that truly matters: God’s voice.

He is speaking all the time. The real question is: Are you listening?

The Practice of Listening

To hear God, you must be still.

Think about all the things you might miss because you are not quiet enough. 

You have to cut out the noise of life. Sometimes, this means removing distractions, even if they aren’t evil.

Your heart needs to be ready to hear from Him. You should pray: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

We must make this our daily posture. Give yourself margin, and you will find that God is personal and right there. Maybe for you it’s a walk. Or a chair. Or a few quiet minutes before the house wakes up. The place matters less than the posture.

We see Jesus’ routine in Mark 1:35, “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.”

Say “Yes Sir” Before You Understand

Once you hear His voice, the next step is simple: listen and obey.

Obedience means caring more about doing what God asks than understanding why He asked it. You trust the Creator of everything and respond with obedience.

When you hear His voice, the only answer needed is, “Yes Sir!”

You must trust Him, even when the instruction makes no sense. This deep obedience is what truly matters.

The Bible tells us to trust Him with our whole lives: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:6.

When we listen and obey, we build a deeper relationship. Jesus said: “You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15:14.

You can trust God completely because His way’s better. He is able “to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20.

The Gifts of the King

When you allow Jesus to be your King, and you simply listen and obey, you discover immense joy and freedom. This simple way of life is so much more full.

The Holy Spirit brings gifts of peace and joy. Jesus wants your joy to be full.

He said: “Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” John 16:24. He also promised: “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” John 15:11.

When you walk with God, He gives you peace that sustains you, even when life is hard.

You don’t have to obsess over rules and boundaries when you’re focused on following Him. You feel safe and sound in His love.

This life is like a race. Run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus.

The best gift is simply more of His presence. It’s better than anything else. Walking with Jesus is where true freedom is found. When you are fully satisfied in the Lord, you feel set free!