the initial shock of shame came over him, it was followed by an
immediate sense of healing and forgiveness. His
communication with God had been intimate, real, direct, and yet
it didn’t condemn him. It moved him toward God and gave him
every positive reason to change his behavior.
Maybe that’s why intentional listening is such a hard skill to
acquire. The very exercise that promises intimacy, freedom, and
victory—requires surrender.
In order to become an intentional listener with the invisible
God—to listen and not talk while He is talking to me or to
willingly set aside time to address a conflict or concern (rather
than ignore it or Him)—I’ve kept a daily, written record of our
two-way conversations, which I call my “God Talks.” This
simple habit has helped me overcome significant obstacles,
including my resistance to silence, the powerful lure of
entertainment, and my love of sleep. (I don’t even attempt to
listen to God with my eyes closed—I’m sure I’ll fall asleep!)
Of course, writing out the words you hear God say (or that
you say to Him) is certainly not a new idea. The Bible is full of
“God Talks.” The psalms especially—all 150 of them—are the
written records of personal conversations human beings had
with God.
If you have never heard God talk personally, honestly, and
transparently to you, begin by acquiring the skill of intentional
listening. Just as in my husband’s premarital classes,
intentional listening is a skill that must be learned, and takes
practice. And because it doesn’t come easy or feel natural to
anyone to submit one’s soul to a searchlight, it requires that
you make an appointment—with a counselor, spiritual director,
your spouse, or God—for certain conversations that might be