Life after lockdown...

Three Aspire team members look back at a year of ‘holy uncertainty’

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God’s speaking. Are you listening?

Julia Derbyshire

When the clock struck midnight on 31 December 2019 who could have imagined just what kind of a year 2020 would turn out to be? Life, as we knew it, was about to change irrevocably.

So, 2020 began full of hope and expectation. In January, after a busy Christmas season, women within our church met together with no other purpose than to listen to the Lord. It turned out to be a significantly precious time. Now, almost twelve months later the volume of other voices is once again beginning to increase.

December is a hugely busy month for women, families and churches, but when you think about Samuel in the Bible, for him listening to God was simply turning an ear towards the Lord. It was just a brief moment as he snuggled down to sleep at the end of the day. Why not try being intentional in giving time, or moments, to listen to God, to say, “Speak Lord, for I am listening.”

Mary, too, is clearly someone wit h the wisdom to listen. As the angel knocked on her door, bringing his seemingly outrageous greeting, Mary takes time to listen, to absorb, to process and respond. Although totally stunned by his message she commits to listening, and her life is changed forever.