Coracle Trust E-Reflections

Lent: Listen and Live

Thursday 14 April 2011

Don't you sense me, ready to break into being at your touch? My murmurings surround you like shadowy wings. Can't you see me standing before you cloaked in stillness? I am, you anxious one, Rainer Maria Rilke

Read John 10: 19-42 and return

Static and the voice of God

I recognise that voice. It is in the crowd. It is on the phone. My ear picks up the distinctive accent or intonation. Dogs know their owner’s voice. Even computers can be tuned to recognise a voice. And yet, when we listen for the voice of God, there is so much static. So many other noises tune him out. Old scripts run through our minds, laid down like CD tracks in the mind from years ago – I ought…. I can’t…. I must…. I’m too shy…. I could never…..

Listening for the one voice

Lent is a time to learn to listen – to tune in for that one voice that matters. The Good Shepherd says that his sheep will have the capacity to recognise his voice. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life.” Time to be quiet. Breathe deeply. In and down to that secret place of the heart. Leave the outer world aside. Still the murmuring whispers within. Listen for His voice. Listen and live. Peter Neilson (Trustee)