One spring morning I walked
along a road through a heavily
wooded area. The air was
alive with the songs of birds.
Feathered soloists -- tanagers,
warblers, vireos -- sang their
age-old melodies. I scanned
the trees for a glimpse of them,
but the leaves hid them from
my sight. All I could do was
to stand in awe and listen
to the beauty of their songs.
Listening for the voice of
God is sometimes like listening
to the birds' songs. We can't
see God, but we hear the beauty
of God's voice in the words
of the Bible, the beauty of
nature, the laughter of a child,
or the greeting of a friend.
Our calling is to stop and
listen; to receive God's
comfort, guidance, and strength;
and to respond with worship
and service. From Dick Ryley