The Leader's Ears

From the moment I walk into my house following a day at the office, immediately I hear those beautiful words, "DADDY!" Over the next hour I will have heard that name seemingly thousands of times. I eventually revert to the childhood comeback, "That's my name, don't wear it out."

Whether the voices are coming from work, home, family, within... there is much clammering for our attention. With all the noise, it is at times hard to hear the most important voice of all, the Lord's. Jesus said in John 10:4, "...his sheep follow him because they know his voice." It is impossible to "follow" the good shepherd if His voice is being drowned out.

This was the first lesson the great leader and prophet had to learn. 1 Samuel 3:7 records, "Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord. The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him." This is when Samuel matured and said/applied the 7 most important words spiritual leaders can utter, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" (v. 9).

Whether in the monumental or mundane decisions in life, a leader needs to "receive direction, insight, and inspiration from God" Kevin Harney writes (p. 62). We need to be desperate to hear the voice of God. However, Harney doesn't stop here.

As important as hearing the voice of God is, the Lord also expects us to strategically hear other's voices as well. Giving others the access and permission to speak so we can hear and receive the truth is so necessary in our spiritual development. He suggests having ears open in all direction. This includes, peers/friends, those in authority/or mentors, as well as from those you lead.

Are your ears open, or are they clogged with noise and clutter. Hearing God's voice through His Spirit and through Godly friends keeps us humble and obedient to our Lord. Perhaps you may even want to say those words now, "SPEAK, LORD, FOR YOUR SERVANT IS LISTENING!"