Recently I spent some time in a very quiet remote area by the ocean. I could hear things: The wind, the birds, sounds of nature, the water. The sound of the wind reminded me of the Holy Spirit, which the Bible says will blow where it will. I wondered if in ancient times people could hear - and see - God more easily in the beauty that surrounded them. Is this something we have lost? Is God drowned out by car horns honking, people screaming at each other, rap music booming, bus engines roaring? Is it hard to hear God through the noise of a Godless civilization we have built for ourselves? It seemed very clear to me when I was in the moment, sitting by that quiet sea. Has anyone else ever experienced this, or thought about this?
2007-09-16 07:00:08 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, I have thought about it. Your post reminded me. Thank you! Thank you!
2007-09-16 07:04:53 · answer #1 · answered by batgirl2good 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think you are right... I can experience the peace of the Lord a lot easier, and for a longer time, when I go out to the edge of one of the bay's around here or if I go to Adoration. It gives me a way to connect to God that I usually can't get at home, let alone anywhere else.
Recently I have been trying to get more into my faith, which is fast becoming Catholic (I just started RCIA) and I have been encountering so many road blocks! But I know who it is and why he is trying to stop me. I think that the noise is part of Satan's plan to seperate us from God, because it makes it hard to keep an active prayer life.
I think we have two choices, we can either get away from it all (like go to the coast or to a sanctuary somewhere) and simply make that a common practice, or we can turn the plan around, and use all the noise to give us a reason to pray!
Everytime we hear a loud engine, we can thank God for giving us intellegence to be able to produce that machine. Everytime we hear a person swearing out the window at another person, we can pray that that person recieves peace from God. But I think we need to do both.
Thanks for the thought provoking question!
2007-09-16 07:30:48 · answer #2 · answered by Treasa 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi once again C.C....I enjoyed this question. I believe that one truly needs to believe in God to hear Him. And I do agree to some point on what you are saying. God is the beauty that surrounds us such as the tree's the flowers and all living things. He is the creator, Our Father. He has created our mountains and streams and oceans and seas and the splendor of the valley's. But to hear Him, one has to have God in their heart, soul and mind. How can one hear His greatness if one doesn't believe in the Holy Spirit? One doesn't take the time to really listen to what God says through His creations. Life is in the fast lane anymore to where we don't stop to smell the roses any longer so do speak. I enjoy going to a quiet place to listen to God and His creations and to talk to Him without the noise of others. Have a very blessed day my friend.
2007-09-16 07:48:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I was sitting here looking for an answer for quite a while..I know the feelings you have described and i think you just have to listen a little closer and a little harder in a more suburban atmosphere.The sound of children laughing, an exceptionally beautiful flower in your garden, a really good apple, a full moon evening and the feelings of accomplishment at the end of the day..As i tell myself everyday " Bloom where you are planted " Peace
2007-09-16 07:10:47 · answer #4 · answered by Fae 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I can hear God even with a lot of noise around. True, being in a quiet spot helps, but that is not always possible. I just try to shut out the noise and just listen.
2007-09-16 07:06:22 · answer #5 · answered by fairgirlbluezap 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nature is a "Book of His Presence"
I hear God the Father through Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Eternal Word ,through the Holy Spirit through the Church through the Scriptures through God's Apostolic Tradition through Natural Law and Reason and through informed conscience.
I think that it was Eliz Barrett Browning who said "Every bush is a Burning Bush" which means that God is always talking to us through Nature,etc. Would that we were more attentive.
2007-09-16 13:47:21 · answer #6 · answered by James O 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gideon couldn't hear god over the ram horns his people were blowing, so they killed the Jericho folks even though god had granted a last second clemency.
Paul was so dazzled by just looking into the noonday sun that he thought he heard god's voice. He got crucified upside down for his mistake.
Mystics and deluded people of all ages have sought solitude to try to hear god. Like you, they just heard nature sounds.
2007-09-16 07:09:35 · answer #7 · answered by BAL 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I live in Alaska so I'm blessed to be much closer to the sounds of nature than the man-made chaos. However, in the city even here...as green and beautiful as it is...sometimes you must drive out. I like going at night where you can see the stars...this time of year anyway. A little chillie...but during the summer...the sun is still up just a bit. Still, no matter where you go...He is there. Love in Christ, ~J~
2007-09-16 07:08:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I spend a lot of time in the wilderness thinking,lessening, and evaluating mankind, the earth and the universe.And with the greed of money and religious carnage in the world today I believe religion will in up destroying us all.When you say Godless country being the bad parts of the U.S. you are blind to who runs,owns and works at the at the Godless machine.
2007-09-16 07:15:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have. Just this morning. I am in a remote area, a Muslim country, and havent heard anything familiar in months. This morning I was walking and heard something so beautiful I stopped right in my tracks. Birds singing. I just closed my eyes and thanked God right there. That was the first reminder of home in months...America. My free country, my home. I thanked God for America.
2007-09-16 07:10:42 · answer #10 · answered by cutiepatutie 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes I have and you are right we hear God's voice better when we are still and tuning in with him. I notice a few sunflowers planted out back block the receiver to the "dish" ........and I thought we have so much more that blocks God's voice from our lives. What a noisy world we live in.
2007-09-16 07:11:00 · answer #11 · answered by sisterzeal 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋