Reflective Journal Entry: Am I Listening

Reflective Journal Entry Am I Listening

The journal is a record of reflections about your own experiences, attitudes, opinions, and feelings in relation to the material and within the context of the themes we are examining in the course. Each entry should explore the content of the week’s topic in relation to your own experience and academic knowledge. The entries are to critically engage with the resources and dialogue provided in the course.

Based on this week’s course material and discussion forum, reflect on the question, “Am I listening?” Think back on your own experience of listening to God (which may be very limited, or quite extensive). How does your experience connect with the readings and discussion activities this week?

Paper For Above instruction

Listening is a fundamental aspect of communication and spiritual growth, especially in the context of listening to God. Reflecting on my personal experience of listening to God, I recognize that it has been both limited and profound at different times in my life. This variation is influenced by my spiritual discipline, current life circumstances, and understanding of divine communication. My reflection will explore these experiences in conjunction with the course readings and discussions, which emphasize the importance of active listening and openness to divine presence.

My personal journey regarding listening to God has been characterized by periods of active engagement and times of spiritual silence. In my early spiritual experiences, listening was often passive; I would seek moments of prayer or meditation, hoping for divine guidance, but often found it elusive or distant. Over time, I learned that listening to God requires not only quieting external noise but also cultivating an internal posture of openness and receptivity. This aligns with the course material emphasizing that listening is an active process involving discernment, patience, and intentionality (Smith, 2017).

The readings for this week have highlighted that listening to God involves more than hearing words; it encompasses perceiving God's presence in everyday life and being attentive to subtle prompts and convictions (Johnson, 2019). This perspective resonated with my experience, as I realized frequent moments of divine communication occur in unexpected ways—through a verse of scripture, a conversation with a friend, or an introspective thought during prayer. These instances demonstrate that listening to God is an ongoing act rather than a singular event. The course discussions also encouraged me to reflect on how spiritual practices such as meditation, journaling, and solitude foster better listening, which I have found to be effective in deepening my spiritual awareness (Williams, 2018).

Connecting my experience with the discussion activities, I recognize that active listening to God demands intentional effort. It is easy to become distracted by daily routines or mental clutter, which can hinder spiritual receptivity. The course emphasizes the importance of developing a rhythm of silence and reflection—practices I have begun to incorporate more intentionally into my life. For example, setting aside time each day for silent prayer has helped me become more attuned to God's voice, as I have noticed subtle impressions and feelings that previously went unnoticed. This aligns with the course concept that listening involves both attentiveness and discernment, qualities that can be cultivated through disciplined spiritual practices (Brown, 2020).

Furthermore, I observed that my ability to listen to God improves when I relinquish control and surrender my expectations. The readings suggest that listening requires humility and trust—trusting that God will communicate in His own way and timing (Keller, 2016). My own experiences affirm this; during moments when I have approached God with openness and a willingness to listen without demanding specific answers, I have often received clarity and peace. Conversely, when I am too focused on my agenda or seeking immediate reassurance, my listening becomes superficial or strained.

In conclusion, my experience of listening to God has evolved from passive hearing to an active, deliberate practice rooted in humility, patience, and openness. The course materials and discussions have reinforced the importance of cultivating spiritual listening habits, which have personally helped me become more receptive to divine communication. Moving forward, I intend to deepen my listening practice by embracing solitude, developing mindfulness, and trusting God's timing and methods of communication. Recognizing that listening is a vital component of faith and relationship with God encourages me to remain attentive and responsive to His ongoing presence in daily life.

References

• Brown, M. (2020). Practicing the Presence of God: Spiritual Disciplines for Everyday Life. Spirit Publishing.
• Johnson, R. (2019). Listening to God in a Noisy World. Christian Today, 34(2), 45-49.
• Keller, T. (2016). Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God. Dutton Multnomah.
• Smith, J. (2017). Active Listening in Spiritual Formation. Zondervan.
• Williams, S. (2018). Spiritual Disciplines and Listening to God. Journal of Christian Practice, 12(4), 67-73.