(Post #2 in a 5-part series collaboration)

By Bob Morrissey (bio below)

On March 19, 1995, I had just arrived home after serving with my dad on the church Sunday school bus. I was 14 years old, and the events of that morning were not on my mind; and shockingly enough, neither was the lunch my mom had prepared for our family. I was interested in what was on NBC. My mom told me to stay at the kitchen table, even though my eyes kept drifting toward the opening above the kitchen sink which looked toward the TV in the living room. Finally my dad interrupted with permission for me to leave the table and to watch Michael Jordan as he was returning from his first retirement from the NBA. I remember nothing of church that day. But I do remember that game.

I didn’t know what Jordan would do in the game, but I knew I could see him if my mom would just let me turn on the TV. How did I know he was playing? Why was it so important that I watched the game?

Because:

1. I saw so many commercials of him with Nike, Wheaties, Gatorade, and McDonalds.
2. I had two glass-framed posters of him hanging in my room.
3. I had watched 5 years of him playing previously.
4. I pretended to be him in my driveway.
5. I wished that I owned a pair of Jordan shoes.
6. I knew all of his stats.
7. I collected as many basketball cards of him as I could. (Which I still have!!!)

I didn’t miss seeing his first game back because He was on my mind.

It reminds me of Matthew 6:21 which says, “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” I had invested so much time and money into him I could not help but to ignore everything else going on that day.

I do not want to just hear from God when I read the Bible or when I hear a sermon. I want to know everything I possibly can about what He is doing every moment. I think I often do not hear His voice because He is not on my mind, because He is not more important to me than my church, my wife, my kids, or what I have to accomplish that day.

When I hear from God throughout the day it’s because:

1. I put Him first early in the day. – Psalm 63:1
2. I’m asking Him to speak to me. – Matthew 7:7-8
3. I’ve made His priority my priority. – Colossians 3:1
4. I’m talking about Him to others. – Matthew 28:18-20

Doing these things is taking my treasure, my time, and focusing it on Him. When I do this my heart follows, and I can’t help but hear Him all throughout the day. These four things cause greater anticipation to hear Him and be in His presence, therefore I seldom miss His voice when He chooses to speak.

What could you do to create anticipation in your own life to hear God speak to you?

Blogger Bio:  Bob Morrissey grew up in a Christian home. From an early age he knew that God had called him to ministry. He started The Church at Clawson where he is the founding/lead pastor. He enjoys bringing truth from God’s Word and making it practical and relevant to our everyday lives. He met his wife Cindy while attending college. They have three sons: Bobby (15), Tyler (13), and Jaydon (10). Bob and Cindy love to go out and get a good steak, hit up the local ice cream store, watch The Blacklist, or re-watch Star Wars. They love taking their kids to the park and watching them in their sports leagues. Bob loves playing and watching sports. His favorite Detroit teams are the Tigers and Lions.