What steps can we take to "hear and see" God's work in our lives? Key Passage Mark 8:18 “‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?’” Setting the Scene Jesus spoke these words after His disciples watched Him multiply bread—twice—yet still worried about lunch. They had working eyes and ears, but their hearts were dull. His question invites us to move from passive observing to active, faith-filled perception of God’s ongoing work. Recognize the Barriers • Spiritual distraction—crowded minds and schedules (Luke 10:41) • Unconfessed sin that muffles God’s voice (Psalm 66:18) • Forgetfulness of past mercies (Psalm 106:7) • Skepticism that God is at work in ordinary moments (Hebrews 3:12) Step 1: Commit to Active Listening • Set aside daily, uninterrupted time for Scripture and silence. • Romans 10:17—“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” • Ask the Spirit to fine-tune your hearing: “Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9). Step 2: Clear the Visual Field • Limit visual clutter—constant screens, negative media, worry-inducing news. • Psalm 119:37—“Turn my eyes away from worthless things.” • Spend moments outdoors, noticing creation that “pours forth speech” (Psalm 19:1-2). Step 3: Embrace Scriptural Saturation • Read whole books, not random snippets, to see God’s patterns. • Memorize key verses; they become lenses through which to interpret life. • John 14:21—those who keep His commands “will be loved by My Father, and I will love them and reveal Myself to them.” Step 4: Practice Obedient Response • When the Word highlights a step, take it—immediately. • John 10:27—“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” • Obedience sharpens spiritual senses; disobedience dulls them (James 1:22-25). Step 5: Cultivate Daily Remembrance • Keep a journal of answered prayer and providence. • Psalm 77:11-12—“I will remember the works of the LORD… I will meditate on all Your deeds.” • Share testimonies at the dinner table or with friends; hearing others’ stories trains you to spot God’s fingerprint in your own. Putting It All Together Eyes that see and ears that hear are gifts God is eager to grant. As you listen actively, clear distractions, soak in Scripture, obey promptly, and remember faithfully, you’ll discover that God’s hand is neither hidden nor silent—He’s been working all along, inviting you to notice. |
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