Recently I’ve been experimenting with new ways of opening up my communications with Jesus. For years I have sung the words of a favorite hymn: “He walks with me, and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own. The joy we share as we tarry there, none other has every known.” It recently came to my attention that I’m singing the words but not experiencing them. I realized that for the most part, “I walk with Him, and I talk to Him.”

About 10 months ago I was on a spiritual renewal retreat and at this retreat we had a day that we spent in silence and prayer. I was excited and a bit nervous about taking 24 hours of private, quiet time with my Savior. We were given some guidelines, and I remember sitting on the bed in my little private room and I started to write down all the things Jesus and I were going to accomplish in those 24 hours. I started telling Him my plan, and there was a voice in my head that very gently said, “Linda, do you want to hear what I think you should do?” It took me a few minutes to gather my thoughts. I remember thinking, “Yes, Lord, your servant is listening.” He gently planted two questions in my brain, totally not on my agenda. For 24 hours together we explored those questions. “The joy we shared as we tarried there was a joy I had never known.”

After the 24 hours, our group gathered to share with one another what we learned from our experience. My lesson I learned was, “Jesus is the smartest guy in the Universe, I need to start listening more and talking less.”

Sunday, we will be exploring one of Jesus’ parables. This parable in Luke 20:9-19 reminds us that Jesus is the guy we need to be listening to. After all, no matter where you are or who you are with, “He is the smartest guy in the room.” Hope you are able to join us.