Taking a Time Out to Hear Him

Time out!!!  With four boys who have played almost all sports, I’ve heard those two words yelled many a time. Sometimes they were on loosing teams. Other times they got benched because their skills weren’t what the coach needed. 

Win or loose, bench or not. The coach, who could see the bigger picture of what was happening on the field, called them in. He gave direction, encouragement, whatever they needed to play a better game. 

Time-outs were spaced at critical intervals throughout the game.  If it was a close fight, these little breaks for a game plan were all the more important. 

Sometimes players refuse to listen and act when the coach has a chance to talk. What if players refused to even come off the field when the coach called time-out? OR Could you imagine a game with no time-outs?  No communication between coach and players?  Things would quickly unravel.

We all have a coach of sorts, but it is a little different.

His team in THE winning team. No question. 

No one is ever benched. If you are on the sideline it is because you choose to be there. 

There is no limit to how many can be on the field. 

The coach needs Every. Single. Player. 

Whatever your skill, it is needed. Everyone has a part in winning the fight.

He NEEDS you and you need Him.

He can see things you cannot. He calls you in to give you direction, encouragement.  

How well do you hear Him?

What is the communication like between you and the One who knows what is happening on the field of your life?  Are you taking the time out?  Are you listening?  Are you getting back on the field and making it happen?

I believe the Lord has called us in for a time-out at a critical interval.   Never have our schedules been so stripped down.  Never has there been a better opportunity to turn to Him and hear Him.  What are you hearing?

Social media. Texts. Email. News. Internet. TV. Radio. Thoughts in our heads. There is a lot to “hear.”  There are plenty of places we can turn for direction. 

We have to be careful because the opposing team can be pretty loud, distracting, and discouraging. Anything to deplete us of confidence and strength, especially towards the end of the game when they are determined to put up the strongest fight and pull out a win!

Hear Him! 

He is drawing you near. He is speaking at this critical interval.  We need His direction and He is willing to give it more than ever before.  You will hear if you ask and listen.  

Take this time out to listen to Him.  What needs to happen in these next few weeks? Create a game plan to hear Him better.  Make it happen.  

When we take time to listen with our hearts, the heavens open and He speaks. Jesus taught that He is “the light of the world” and those who follow Him “shall not walk in darkness” (John 8:12).

God still speaks today, and the joyful call remains to hear Him. As you listen to Jesus Christ, you will feel His love for you. As you #HearHim and act on what you hear, you will feel the joy and fulfillment His words bring to all who seek Him.

Church of Jesus Christ.org

How do you hear Him?  I’d love to hear some of your ideas. What are you doing during this time out to hear God better?  I shared one idea in this short video and I’ll be sharing more in the coming weeks on IG, FB and YouTube. 

Sharing is caring! Thank you for sharing with your friends! Thank you for sharing your stories of faith here!