Devotional by Shaneice Thomas, 2020 Tower of Hope Ministries Graduate
I used to drive a school bus periodically when I was an assistant principal. It was hard getting substitutes when the regular driver was out, so I decided that I would get my commercial driver’s license to fill in when needed.
The most important part of driving the school bus was safety. One thing that was extremely important was railroad crossing safety. In rural, country areas there may or may not be a barrier gate at the crossings so extra precautions had to be taken.
Drivers were taught to stop, open the bus door, look both ways, and then listen for a train before proceeding across. I would ask the students to be quiet so I could hear. Then I would close the door and proceed.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, more than 400 people are killed every year at railroad crossings and the vast majority of these deaths are preventable.
Failing to stop, look, and listen has natural and spiritual consequences. In order to reach our destination safely, we must be able to hear the Spirit of God to avoid becoming a casualty of the enemy.
There are 3 things that we can do to learn how to hear the Spirit of God:
- STOP. Constant movement and busyness keep us from hearing from the Spirit of God. All activity is not productivity. We need time to meditate on God’s Word and His wonders. Job 37:14 reads, “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.” We don’t want to cross any tracks without knowing that God’s safety precedes us.
- LOOK. Use your senses. Look around. Have you ever been looking for a place you have never been to and as you get closer, you turn down the radio? Why? Because in order to maximize our senses we must devote all of our attention to it. It helps us to focus. To be single-minded. Look for signs that God is speaking to you. 1st Chronicles 16:11 reads, “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek his face always.”
- LISTEN. Listen for that inner voice. Listening will bring guidance and direction. It will help us to avoid impending danger. There have been numerous times I have a feeling that I should go another way or slow down and not pass that car in front of me. Obedience is key after having heard the Spirit’s instructions. Like in James 1:22 we must not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. But also, do what it says.
So today take this lesson with you and apply it to every area of your life. Stop, look, and listen.