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Lesson 3: The Gift of the Listening Heart
Character Trait: Discernment & Listening (Hearing God’s Voice)
KJV Scripture: "And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth." — 1 Samuel 3:10
Character Trait: Discernment & Listening (Hearing God’s Voice)
KJV Scripture: "And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth." — 1 Samuel 3:10
The Story: Heman and the Hidden Whisper
In the deepest, oldest part of the forest, where the moss grows thick like a green carpet and the shadows are long and quiet, lived Heman the Great Gray Owl. Heman was known throughout the woods as the "Owl of the Listening Heart."
Unlike the eagle who looked for movement from high above, Heman sat perfectly still on a low, frost-covered branch. He had a magnificent face, shaped like a large silver plate, designed by God to catch every tiny vibration in the air.
One winter morning, the forest was buried under a heavy, white blanket of snow. To the other animals, the woods felt empty and silent—almost hopeless. But Heman didn't rely on what he could see; he relied on what he could hear. He tilted his head to the left, then sharply to the right. Underneath two feet of heavy snow, he heard a tiny scritch-scratch. It was a small creature that had lost its way and was calling out for help in a voice so quiet that only a truly "skillful" listener could hear it.
Heman knew that to be a helper, you must first be a listener. In the Bible, a young boy named Samuel had to learn this same lesson. God was calling his name in the middle of the night, but Samuel didn't recognize the voice at first. He had to quiet his heart and say, "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth."
Just like you were found when you called out as a child, God is always listening for us—and He wants us to listen for Him. Even when life feels "covered in snow" and we feel lost or alone, God’s voice is there. It isn't always a loud shout; sometimes it is a gentle whisper in our hearts telling us which way to go.
In the deepest, oldest part of the forest, where the moss grows thick like a green carpet and the shadows are long and quiet, lived Heman the Great Gray Owl. Heman was known throughout the woods as the "Owl of the Listening Heart."
Unlike the eagle who looked for movement from high above, Heman sat perfectly still on a low, frost-covered branch. He had a magnificent face, shaped like a large silver plate, designed by God to catch every tiny vibration in the air.
One winter morning, the forest was buried under a heavy, white blanket of snow. To the other animals, the woods felt empty and silent—almost hopeless. But Heman didn't rely on what he could see; he relied on what he could hear. He tilted his head to the left, then sharply to the right. Underneath two feet of heavy snow, he heard a tiny scritch-scratch. It was a small creature that had lost its way and was calling out for help in a voice so quiet that only a truly "skillful" listener could hear it.
Heman knew that to be a helper, you must first be a listener. In the Bible, a young boy named Samuel had to learn this same lesson. God was calling his name in the middle of the night, but Samuel didn't recognize the voice at first. He had to quiet his heart and say, "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth."
Just like you were found when you called out as a child, God is always listening for us—and He wants us to listen for Him. Even when life feels "covered in snow" and we feel lost or alone, God’s voice is there. It isn't always a loud shout; sometimes it is a gentle whisper in our hearts telling us which way to go.
Character Lesson
The Skill of Silence: We cannot hear the "still small voice" of God if we are always making noise ourselves. Practice being still.
Tuning In: Just as Heman’s feathers are tuned to the wind, we tune our hearts by reading the Bible daily.
Ready to Respond: Listening is only half the blessing; the other half is obeying what we hear.
A Time for Everything
Nature teaches us that there is a rhythm to the life God gave us. The owl knows when to be silent and when to let out a watchful cry. We must learn that same "skillful" balance in our walk with the Lord.
The Skill of Silence: We cannot hear the "still small voice" of God if we are always making noise ourselves. Practice being still.
Tuning In: Just as Heman’s feathers are tuned to the wind, we tune our hearts by reading the Bible daily.
Ready to Respond: Listening is only half the blessing; the other half is obeying what we hear.
A Time for Everything Nature teaches us that there is a rhythm to the life God gave us. The owl knows when to be silent and when to let out a watchful cry. We must learn that same "skillful" balance in our walk with the Lord.
KJV Scripture:
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven... a time to keep silence, and a time to speak." — Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7
The Final Lesson:
Heman the owl is a master of silence, but he is not silent because he is afraid. He is silent so he can hear. And when he does speak, it is with purpose. In your own life, remember that being quiet is often the best way to prepare your heart to speak words of truth, praise, and help later on. Don't be afraid of the "quiet seasons"—that is often when God is doing His best work in you.
KJV Scripture: "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven... a time to keep silence, and a time to speak." — Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7
The Final Lesson: Heman the owl is a master of silence, but he is not silent because he is afraid. He is silent so he can hear. And when he does speak, it is with purpose. In your own life, remember that being quiet is often the best way to prepare your heart to speak words of truth, praise, and help later on. Don't be afraid of the "quiet seasons"—that is often when God is doing His best work in you.
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