Worldly Din

If I want to hear the voice of God
I need to attune my ear
So that above the ruckus and din around
The Shepherds whistle I’ll hear.

He calls out to me across valleys and hills
To reassure, protect and guide
But sometimes I refuse to listen to Him
Preferring to run and hide.

Yet the heavenly Shepherd never stops
Trying to communicate
Gently whistling for me to return
To Him, before it’s too late.

So I’ll try to stop and listen out
To hear His call today
Amid all the other distracting sounds
That mislead and turn me away.

Zechariah 10:2 & 8

Ruth Jessup

Words

The silence of solitude
Brings realisation
Of the preciousness of words.
How speech impacts others
How life and death
Are in the power of the tongue.
Life through honesty and encouragement
Death in gossip and lies
Positive words bringing hope
Negative words despair.

May silence improve my listening
And lead to my speaking
Words fitly spoken
Of wisdom and love
Apples of gold
In baskets of silver.*

*Proverbs 25:11

Ruth Jessup

Peaks & Troughs

On a peak?
Don’t speak
Listen and learn
If you seek
The Lord will speak
It will be enough
When in the trough.

Exodus 19:20-21
Matthew 17:1-9

Ruth Jessup

Wholehearted Commitment

When I make Jesus Christ
Lord of my life
I surrender to Him
Three basic rights.
Where I live
How much I give
And how much I might be changed.

I need to carefully listen to all God has to say
Obeying His commandments, walking in His way.

If in obedience I do the will of the Lord
Follow His instructions to the word
Stay on the path He has asked me to take
He will bless and prosper me for His sake
And all will go well with my children too
Because I’m pleasing God in all that I do.

Deuteronomy 5:33; 6:3 and 12:28

Ruth Jessup

God Seen, God Heard

The Word
Breathed
Written
Spoken
Lived
By Jesus Christ
As man
God seen.

Now
Not seen
But heard
By faith
God found
By listening.

Romans 10:17

Ruth Jessup

Interruptible

Lord make me interruptible
Able to tolerate delay
Listening to those who are calling
As I pass them on my way.

If I’m always in a hurry
Don’t have time to stop or rest
If I am always clock-watching
I shall miss helping those in distress.

Jesus was always ready
For interruptions along his way
Always had time to listen
To what others wanted to say.

So I pray make me more like Jesus
Who was always ready to be
Interrupted in what he was doing
So fulfilling God’s will perfectly.

Ruth Jessup

A Good Listener

Take a step back
Give others space
Allow silence to speak
Watch the other’s face.

For given time
Another will share
Their deepest fears
Their heart lay bare.

My words should be few
Eyes and ears wide open
To hear and understand
Any words unspoken.

For many find it hard
To communicate
Yet are searching for a person
To whom to relate.

So I’ll listen and wait
Be very quiet
To know what lies
In the other’s heart.

Ruth Jessup

Emptiness

Please listen to me, come apart
With your aching, anxious, empty heart
Empty life, empty hands too
I’ll willingly fill them all for you.

Emptiness is not a sin
It’s simply a space that I can fill
Let all my love and power flow in
Only trust me, surrender your will.

Yes, have faith, just come
I’ll fill you full for sure
I’ll give blessings to you
That will overflow and reassure.

Ruth Jessup

God’s Shoes

God speaks to me in a desert situation
When I stop, look and give careful consideration
To the miracle He’s performing near me
If I simply turn around; take the time to see.

When I do I see God, clearly hear Him speak
“Don’t come any closer; take your shoes off your feet
For you are now standing on holy ground
But don’t be afraid you are safe and sound. ”

On hearing God’s voice, I hide my face; look away
Yet continue to hear to what He has to say
He tells me He wants me to wear His shoes
Then in His power, not mine, go spread the Good News.

All He asks is that I love Him; walk in His ways
Then He’ll shower down His blessings all of my days
Every place where I set my foot will be mine
Because I’ve on my feet, the footwear divine.

Exodus 3: 1-10
Deuteronomy 11: 24

Ruth Jessup

Gaps

Gaps!
I want gaps
I need gaps.
Lord, please give me gaps.

Gaps of silence
Where I may hear your voice
Gaps of quiet; of peace; of rest
Where sitting silently
I can be blessed.

Time gaps
When the sand runs through
So that I can appreciate
All you do
The wondrous things of eternity
And You.

Gaps into which I may carefully look
See those around who need my help
Gaps in the nights
When I can look through
To see stars of heaven
Get God’s perspective – His view.

Please Lord
Give me gaps
Gaps every day
When I may listen and hear you
Feel your presence
Be near you.

Thank you.
Amen.

Deuteronomy 4:29

Ruth Jessup