I was hiking with my family in a local marsh area and it was early spring. Things were still brown and there was a spring wind in the air keeping it cool. 
As we started the trip I pulled my family together and instructed them that as we walk this trail, “I want you to look for things that remind you about Jesus.” Then we would talk about what we saw at supper when we got home.
As we walked we often paused to just take in the images, smells, and sounds. We would often pause and watch the birds come close and eat out of our hand. We saw the beginning of new growth and heard the sound of many frogs.
All of our lives are busy and often we pray and ask Jesus to be with us and guide us. This is a good prayer. However, I am becoming more aware that Jesus is already with us. We have just become deaf to his voice.
In this moment with my family I had three objectives. One was to just enjoy nature and spend some time together. Two was to help my kids begin to look for reminders of Jesus in the everyday. Three, to listen to what the Holy Spirit may have to say to me on the journey and as I listened to my kids share later. It was not an overly spiritual event, we just went for a walk and enjoyed it.
Later we drove home and prepared supper and at supper, I asked the question, so, “what did you see that reminded you of Jesus?”
A simple exercise for hearing God.
- Go for a walk
- Be open for reminders of Jesus. Some may want to pray inviting Jesus to speak and to give you the ability to see clearly. In the moment above, my family just went for a walk.
- Enjoy nature, the sounds, the smells, and the images.
- Quick reflection – two questions to ask
What did you see that reminded you of Jesus?
Why did do you need to be reminded about that?
This spring as you go about life, Jesus is with you. To enter, engage, and experience the life you were created for, take steps to listen to Jesus in the every day of life.
My experience has been often that he is not calling us to something new, but reminding us who he is and who we are.
What is your favourite place to go for a walk? How do you best hear God in your life?