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Whose Voice Are You Listening To?

By March 8, 2024No Comments6 min read

Whose voice are you listening to that is influencing your sense of safety, worth and value?”

In Lights on Leadership Training, we refer to 3 fields that are always at play. We get to choose how much focus, power and attention we give to each one. Our choice of focus makes all the difference in the outcomes we experience:

  • The Personal Field: is everything that is going on inside of you: your thoughts, perceptions, values, judgements, filters, beliefs, ideas, faith. Your connection with God dwells in your personal field. The personal field is our greatest space of empowerment when we ground our identity in God, Galatians 2:20 (First phase of Emotional Intelligence in Christ).
  • The Near Field: Contains that which is closely outside of you: your relationships and interactions with others, circumstances and situations personally and professionally. When we feel triggered in life, it’s because we gave power away to something in the near field that ends up compromising our sense of significance, worth and value; therefore, we get hijacked into the stress reactive response in our personal field. When triggered we only have 3 reactive choices available to us: fight, fight or freeze. A lot happens in terms of the expression of these 3 reactive responses: imploding, exploding or a combination of both, all of which lead to discouragement (the 4th ordinary activity of the devil.) He wants you to live in discouragement. Jesus says in John 10:10, “the devil comes to kill, steal and destroy, I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.”
  • The Remote Field: Contains all that exists outside of the personal and near field: world events, weather, news etc. Specific world issues in the remote field are having a profound negative impact these days on our personal field. As Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” As we give power to the remote field to determine our sense of safety and connection, we rise and fall in terms of our inner peace based on current events.

Jesus calls us to a space within our personal field that defies events in the near and remote fields so as to maintain inner peace, calm and wisdom for discernment in uncertain times. Jesus says, “In me you may have peace even in the midst of troubling times.” Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Pilate was desperately trying to discern what to do with Jesus as he did not find him deserving of death. He asked in John 18:38, “What is Truth?” If we want to tune into a voice in life that offers truth and wisdom to guide our steps in the midst of troubling times, may it be the voice of the One who declared in John 14:6, “I AM the way the TRUTH and the life.”

The question is, how do we quiet the voices in the near and remote fields in order to access the knowledge we seek to discern? What are the action and steps God desires for us to take as His ambassadors?

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf.” Be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20

Explore the following three steps to help quiet the noise in the near and remote fields in order to hear the voice of God:

  1. As St. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Be reconciled to God.” Are there any behaviors that you are engaged in that are pushing you further away from your focus on the love God has for you? Repentance is an invitation to turn and go in a different direction. Take time to reflect on this question: What behavior draws me closer to my awareness of how much God loves me? Perhaps it’s reading Holy Scripture, going to Church, a Bible Study group, listening to podcasts that remind you of God’s purpose and love for you. Invite the Holy Spirit into your choices: “Holy Spirit, help me to choose the things of God more today than yesterday. Forgive me for all behaviors that I’ve engaged in that have led me away from remembering that you have a plan for me and that you love and adore me.” Psalm 138:8 – “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me, your love, O Lord, endures forever.”
  2. Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). In order to hear the voice and guidance of God within you, it is essential to quiet the voices and noise in your near and remote fields. What does that mean? Turn off all electronic devices as often as possible throughout each day and be still. Perhaps find a quiet spot. If not, create one in your mind and heart to focus on Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that_____________. Be Still….BE.” Invite the Holy Spirit into the still, small space that you intentionally create to remind you of the presence of God’s love for you.
  3. Speak Lord, your servant is listening (1 Samuel 3:9). In 1 Samuel 3, God is calling out to Samuel at night. Eli, the priest who was caring for Samuel played a role in this encounter. Each time God called Samuel’s name, Samuel runs to Eli 3 times and says “Here I am, you called me.” Eli discerns it’s the Lord who is speaking to Samuel and directs him to say back to God, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” As soon as Samuel says this phrase, God began to speak to Samuel. Make Samuel’s request your own: “Speak Lord, for your Servant is listening.” Silence the noise of the world around you and be attentive to the directives God places on your heart. Discernment and faith come from hearing the word of God. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” – Psalm 119:105. “Faith comes from hearing and hearing the word of God” – Romans 10:17. If you are new to the Holy Scriptures, start by reading a Psalm or Proverb and begin with the Gospel of John. Before reading, declare Samuel’s prayer: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”

Another method to help open up the ability to hear the voice of God in your life is this: Ask a question that you are wondering about and imagine what Jesus would say to you. For example, a colleague has shared with you some negative feedback which triggered you into discouragement. Ask the question: “Jesus, how do you want me to respond to this?” Quiet the noise and repeat Samuel’s request: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” Perhaps a Scripture comes to your mind or a trusted mentor to seek counsel from. It is in the humble stillness of our requests for discernment that God steps in and provides the guidance we seek. You may find yourself camping on your question for several days or longer before the directive from God drops in. God always responds to our humble requests for guidance. Many times, our EGO may not like the response: “Continue to pray for them and reflect on what is yours to own, to grow and learn from.” “For it is God who works within us both to will and to act according to His good purposes.” – Philippians 2:13

Whose voice will you listen to today? If you find yourself feeling discouraged, know that you are listening to the voice from the world (near and remote fields). If you find yourself in a space of humility, inner peace and calm, know that you are listening to the voice of God. Live from the inside out, not the outside in. 

Dive into our Great Leaders Study Guide Series and learn more about leading like Jesus with your heart, head, hands, and habits.

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