Listening to Your Soul

Listening to Your Soul by Stanley J. Troyer The soul is like a wild animal--tough, resilient, resourceful, savvy, self-sufficient. It knows how to survive in hard places. But it is also shy. Just like a wild animal, it seeks safety in the dense underbrush. If we want to see a wild animal, we know that the last thing we should do is go crashing through the woods yelling for it to come out. But if we will walk quietly into the woods, sit patiently by the base of the tree, and fade into our surroundings, the wild animal we seek might put in an appearance. Parker Palmer, A HIDDEN WHOLENESS. Deer Hunting I have enjoyed deer hunting since I began at age fourteen in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I learned to hunt by being still and waiting for the deer to pass my way. The idea is to make your presence difficult to detect so the deer feels safe and will move about normally, as though you are not present. Listening I have found it is important to quiet the noise of "doing" to be in touch with my soul. Our soul is often 'run over' and ignored in our attempt to be more productive. Being productive gives me a sense of significance. It's based on the assumption that my self-worth equals my performance plus others opinions of me. The Psalmist was in touch with his soul. He said in Psalm 42:1-2a As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. How aware are you of the longings of your soul? Sometimes in my focus on doing I lose touch with my soul. I am so focused on ministry and the needs of my false self that I neglect my soul. Be Still It is so hard to be quiet enough for our soul to be heard especially when the storm clouds are gathering. We face the age old test that the Children of Israel faced at the shores of the Red Sea with the armies of Pharaoh in hot pursuit. There was nowhere to go and they were afraid. But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. 14The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still." Ex 14:13-14 NRSV (Emphasis mine) "Keeping still" goes against my desire to take action and be in control. It requires absolute surrender of my plans and my ability to plan. I must trust God totally. Keeping quiet and waiting while hunting allows the deer to feel safe enough to go about their normal activities. In the same way stillness creates a safe place for my soul to come out where I am able to be in touch with my deepest desires and longings. Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking Voice, to which we may continuously return. Thomas Kelly My Story While traveling by air to Florida last December I gave myself time and space to "be still" and listen to my soul. I was surprised when I heard my soul say that it would like me to listen more instead of relying so much on my ability to think things through--to make good plans for the future. You Practice Choose a place that feels comfortable and safe to you where you are able to be open and available to God. Take time to become still. Don't rush or try to make something happen. Become aware of God's presence with you and your desire to be with God. Allow this to be a safe place for your soul to come out from hiding. Listen to your soul. You will know when it has spoken. Be with what comes into your awareness and God's presence with you in that awareness. Don't try to do anything with it. Just be with it. (Don't scare it away.) Be still and let God fight (or work) for you. Keep Listening Practice this way of entering into solitude until it becomes routine for you. You will be surprised at what your soul wants to say. Remember practice the skills of a good hunter in the woods. Your soul needs a safe place where you can enjoy the sweet presence of the Lord. Pay attention to your soul. Copyright © 2010 Stanley J Troyer & CRM