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Moved by the Spirit, Simeon went into the temple
courts. (Luke 2:27)
The Lord had promised Simeon that he would not die
before he had seen the Lord’s Anointed. When Mary
and Joseph went up to the Temple with Jesus, the
Lord prompted Simeon to be present to witness the
fulfilment of this remarkable promise. It is a
perfect picture of how the Lord alerts our spirits
to be where we need to be, without necessarily
needing to use words.
All of us ‘hear’ in more ways than just the audible.
Ros and I have long since learned to read each
other’s body language. We can tell at once when
something is on the other's mind. What we need then
is the grace to respond aright! Listening for the
Still Small Voice is likewise about much more than
words alone. You will have experienced times when
you have known without a shadow of a doubt what you
need to do in a given situation. You may not have
‘heard’ anything in so many words, but nevertheless,
you ‘know’ – with absolute knowing.
Most of us experienced television watchers are quick
to take the hint when a film producer pans the
camera in on some particular person or object. A
mobile phone is thrown into the floor, the camera
dwells on it, and we are not in the least surprised
when it turns out to be still switched on, allowing
a most revealing conversation to be overheard.
Our Heavenly Producer finds many such ways to draw
our attention to the people and themes He wants to
place on our heart. When we are in tune with the
Father’s heartbeat, we find it easy to ‘see’ things,
as it were out of the corner of our eye.
The more sensitive we are to the Lord’s Force One
nudges, the less He needs to send Force Ten blasts.
After all, who would place a lead ingot on a finely
balanced pair of scales? The slightest pressure is
all that is required to tip the balance.
Late one night, I was tossing on my bed, trying to
decide whether to drive out and visit a couple who
were on the verge of separating. Suddenly, for no
apparent reason, our bedside light flicked on and
off three times, I took this as a sign to go. I
found the couple awake, arguing . . . and ready to
listen. The marriage survived!
For Reflection and Prayer
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Forgive
us when we leap to defend ourselves
and use harsh and intolerant words.
You have so much for us to hear and to do,
but our hearts must be very still and quiet.
May we, like Mary, sit at Your feet and learn to
listen.
Draw our souls to stillness,
that we may sense where You are beckoning,
and recognize things we would otherwise miss.
In Jesus’ name, Amen. |
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