it's for you

God says something pretty powerful today in our reading from the One Year Bible. Today we read from Isaiah 66:1-24. He tells us about all kinds of bad things that are going to happen in people's lives. And the reason, He says, is because "when I called, they did not answer. When I spoke, they did not listen."

Wow. That's a punch in the gut, right? I mean, we kind of see it as some kind of lofty, mystical, grand idea to listen to God. Like, it's what we'll get to if we have time, after all of the important stuff is done.

But no. God makes it very clear in these verses that when He speaks, He wants us to listen. When He calls, He wants us to pick up. How is He speaking to you today? Through the Bible? Your conscience? The poor? The church? The wise counsel of friends? A still, small voice that guides you to love people more deeply?

However He's speaking to you today, listen up. He's only going to say this once.

God, thanks for speaking to us every day. Help us listen.