Discipline Of Listening

Chris McKinney shares with us the importance of listening and silence

A Project To Encourage

I recently wrote an article Are You A Hungry Man Or Woman. This article covered the importance of the discipline of reading the word of God. I repeated a few times that it is a vital discipline.

Reading the word of God is one of many vital disciplines for the Christian. After writing this article I wondered how other Christian writers would explain the disciplines that were dear to them. So we have embarked on a project!

The first writer is Chris McKinney. He and his wife, Katie are from Washington. He’s a pastor and loves music and writing. He loves Christ! I have come to enjoy reading his articles. They are clear and leave you with direction. I hope you subscribe to his articles and that you support him as he aims to support you through his writing!

Here’s a link to his work:

Pastor Chris McKinney

I pray as you read about his passion for this discipline that you will find yourself applying it in your own life.

There will be other writers sharing their disciplines, soon! I hope as we read these that we will be encouraged! I pray that you cling to Christ!

Discipline Of Listening

Pastor Chris McKinney

Hearing God in the Silence

Discover the profound power of quieting your soul to hear God's gentle whisper amidst the noise of life.

Have you ever found yourself desperate to hear God’s voice but surrounded by so much noise that it felt impossible? Maybe you’ve prayed for clarity, for direction, or even just a sense of His presence, but all you’ve been met with is silence. In a world filled with constant distractions, where every moment feels like it’s spoken for, hearing God can seem elusive. But what if the very thing we avoid—silence—is the place where God speaks the loudest? What if, in the stillness, when all distractions fade away, we can finally hear the gentle whisper of the One who knows us best? This article will guide you on a journey into the quiet, where you’ll learn to sit, wait, and listen for God’s voice in ways you may have never imagined.

The Challenge of Silence

Over the last eight years, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the leadership team in my church. One person I’ve gotten close to is our Youth Pastor, who oversees the spiritual formation of students from sixth to twelfth grade. He’s the kind of guy who always has music or some sort of background noise playing, needing that sound to feel comfortable and focused.

One day, he stopped by my office and caught me sitting there in total silence, quietly working. He looked baffled, almost as if I was performing some strange feat, and asked how I could possibly get anything done without music or noise filling the space.

Now, before you start thinking I’m a bit odd or, worse, psychotic, let me explain. I wasn’t sitting in absolute silence—there was the steady hum of traffic from the busy street outside my window. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy listening to music while I work, but I’ve found that having too many sounds competing for my attention just muddles my thoughts. Instead, I embrace the quieter moments, tuning in to the natural sounds around me and letting them create a sense of calm and focus.

Why We Struggle with Silence

This experience raises an important question: why do so many of us struggle to sit in silence? Here are some reasons:

• Constant Stimulation Culture: We're used to a world that never stops moving. From phones to TV, we’re always bombarded with noise and activity, making silence feel unnatural.

• Fear of Boredom: In a world of instant entertainment, silence can be mistaken for boredom, leading to discomfort when we're not constantly occupied.

• Distraction from Inner Thoughts: Silence can force us to face our own thoughts, emotions, or unresolved issues—things we often avoid by filling the space with noise.

• Productivity Pressure: Many of us equate silence with inactivity, and we live in a culture that values constant productivity, making it hard to slow down.

• Fear of the Unknown: Sitting in silence can bring a sense of uncertainty—what if God doesn’t speak? What if we don’t like what we hear? That fear can keep us from embracing stillness.

• Addiction to Noise: For some, the habit of having background noise becomes so ingrained that silence feels like a void, causing discomfort or anxiety.

• Restlessness: With busy schedules and long to-do lists, sitting still can make us feel restless, as if we're wasting time when we should be doing something.

• Need for Control: Silence can feel like relinquishing control. We’re no longer managing our environment but letting it simply be, which can feel unsettling.

• Avoidance of Spiritual Reflection: Sometimes, silence brings us face-to-face with our spiritual lives. This can be challenging, especially if we're avoiding certain truths or feelings about our relationship with God.

• Cultural Conditioning: We’ve been conditioned by our culture to think that noise equals life and activity, and silence equals loneliness or isolation.

Elijah’s Encounter with Silence

When I think about this in the context of scripture, I’m reminded of Elijah. In 1 Kings 19:11-13, it says:

“And he said, ‘Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’”

Elijah had just experienced one of the most dramatic moments of his life: a great victory over the prophets of Baal. But instead of feeling triumphant, he found himself fleeing from Queen Jezebel, who sought to kill him. Exhausted, discouraged, and overwhelmed with fear, Elijah ran into the wilderness, feeling utterly alone and questioning his purpose. He cried out to God in despair, and after providing for his physical needs, God instructed him to go to Mount Horeb to encounter Him.

While on the mountain, Elijah waited for God to speak. First, there was a mighty wind so powerful that it tore the mountains apart. Then came a powerful earthquake, followed by a blazing fire. These dramatic forces were loud, chaotic, and attention-grabbing—exactly the kinds of events one might expect God to use to speak. But God wasn’t in any of them. After the fire, however, came something different: a gentle whisper. And it was in that quiet whisper that Elijah finally heard God’s voice.

The Gentle Whisper

As someone who grew up in the charismatic/pentecostal tradition, there is a natural penchant for the spectacular. Certainly, God is capable of spectacular displays, but if you’re waiting for a sign that will sweep you off your feet, God may not respond in the way you expect.

In Elijah’s case, God is teaching us something profound about His nature. Often, we expect Him to show up in spectacular, obvious ways—through signs, wonders, or dramatic interventions. But God doesn’t always operate in the ways we anticipate. Sometimes, He speaks in the stillness, in the gentle moments when we quiet our hearts and listen. Like Elijah, we have to be willing to sit through the noise and distractions of life to finally hear His voice in the silence.

Practical Steps for Sitting in Silence

1. Find a Quiet Space
Create a dedicated space, whether in your home or outdoors, where you can be undisturbed for a period of time.

2. Start Small
Begin with just 5-10 minutes of quiet if you’re new to the practice, and gradually increase as you grow more comfortable.

3. Focus on God's Presence
Use a simple prayer or phrase like, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:10) to center your mind when distractions arise.

4. Be Patient and Persistent
God’s voice may not come immediately, but waiting in silence is a discipline that refines your ability to listen.

5. Surrender Expectations
Avoid coming with an agenda. Instead, let God speak what He desires, even if it’s not what you expected to hear.

6. Embrace Scripture as a Foundation
After moments of silence, open God’s Word and let Scripture guide your thoughts and reflections. God often speaks through His Word in response to our silence.

How Silence Transforms Us
Just like any relationship, time spent in silence builds intimacy with God and increases our sensitivity to His Spirit. When we cultivate a regular practice of silence, we begin to recognize God’s voice not just in these moments but in the small, ordinary parts of life. Silence helps us discern God's voice from our own thoughts and the noise of the world. It creates a space for the Holy Spirit to clarify what He’s saying to us.

Sitting in silence may not be easy at first. It can feel awkward, uncomfortable, or even pointless. But the rewards of hearing God’s voice in the stillness are worth every moment of waiting. I encourage you to try it today. Find a quiet space, take a few minutes to sit in silence, and open your heart to listen. God is always ready to speak—if only we are willing to listen.

Silence has changed my relationship with God, and I believe it can do the same for you. Whether you’re seeking clarity, peace, or simply a deeper connection, God’s gentle whisper is waiting in the stillness. Will you make space to hear it?