Besides having a Biblical mind and seeking wise counsel, the third practice that’s important when we want to hear the Lord’s voice is to embrace boredom. I know this sounds strange because it’s not often a source of pleasant emotions, but boredom is actually a gift to our lives. We live in a society that is saturated by thousands of varieties of information and distractions. When we get tired of doing one activity, we move to another, and we often find ourselves with little to no down time. Although we may perceive that we are taking a break by watching Netflix or looking at our phones, the truth is that there is little room for the Holy Spirit to speak to us there. This is why we must learn to sit with ourselves in silence until we reach a place of loneliness. When we finally feel disconnected from the world around us, we can lean further into that discomfort and find a place of solitude. There, after we’ve fully quieted our hearts, we are free to hear God’s still small voice as it whispers fresh vision and new dreams to our souls. In fact, some of the greatest Kingdom accomplishments are born from a place of boredom, because it births within us a sense of peace and a knowledge of His divine presence.

My friend, when you are serious about knowing the will of God, purposefully seek out distraction-free solitude, and invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you in it. Though it may disguise itself as boredom, there is a treasure in having nothing to do, for it presents you with a precious opportunity to sit alone with your Savior. When you’ve hit a wall of confusion and frustration has gotten the best of you, resist the urge to get lost in social media or flip on the TV. Instead, choose to embrace the gift of quiet and allow the Lord to speak to you in stillness. Pay attention to the dreams He plants in that place, because they have the power to change the course of your life and to impact the lives of many others!