When I joined a webinar the other day, the automated voice punched through my speakers with the words, “You are in listen-only mode.” In a recent conference call, when I dialed in, I was greeted with, “You are muted.”

I think that’s how we should approach God. In listen-only mode. Muted.

Maybe that should be our new attitude for 2020.

Can you imagine what our relationship with God would be like if we closed our mouths and listened? Not for 60 seconds. Or five minutes. How about 15 minutes of silence before God? That sounds so painful! Actually, the opposite is true. It’s one of the most refreshing practices you can develop.

Wayne Cordeiro, a pastor in Hawaii, tells the story of how he burned out after 30 years in the pulpit. You might wonder how someone can burn out in Hawaii. Yes, it happens even there.

To get his life back, Wayne forced himself to be silent before God in a peaceful, quiet setting. For days. Even weeks. He went to a monastery! It wasn’t easy at first. He snuck out a couple times to use his cell phone. Eventually, Wayne did get his life back, but it took a long season of listening to God.

I’m not prescribing a monastery for you, but what can you do to assure that you’ll spend time in listen-only mode? Not once or twice, but consistently. Make a habit of it.

When we love someone, we want to be with them. God loves you and enjoys being with you. This desire is so great that he sent his Son to the cross to make it possible for you to have a relationship of oneness with him.

What an amazing invitation from the all-knowing, all-loving, everlasting, omnipresent, all-powerful, sacrificial God. Can you imagine what you’d learn about the God of the universe by spending time with him in listen-only mode?

You’ll learn a lot about him. More importantly, you’ll know him. It will get better every day.

Listening to God in silence is one thing but listening with your Bible open is another. We learn in 2 Timothy 3:16 that “All Scripture is breathed out by God.” (ESV)

We have 66 books of the Bible, God speaking to us. Have you ever thought of it that way? If you want to know what God thinks, read his Word. Not to study, but to listen.

When you spend time listening to God, come from a standpoint of relationship. You’re not trying to get something from God or hear some revelation. Your relationship with God is the most important thing in your life. Listening to God makes it stronger.

Today, when you practice resting, spend some time quietly listening to God.

(From my 30-day devotional: Your Life With God: 30 Days of Rest. Available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback)