How God Gets Our Attention

A whistle can get our attention quickly, wouldn’t you agree? Its sound is used to control unruly behavior, signal the start or finish of an event, or interrupt the action. Blown by a teacher on a playground, a police officer at an intersection, or a sports referee, the whistle is a signal for us to stop and learn why it was blown.

What does God use to get our attention? Sometimes His tool is a restless spirit, which might appear as some vague dissatisfaction with our life. Other times God uses another person’s words to help us recognize that He is speaking to us.

Blessing us in an unusual way is another method our heavenly Father employs. (Romans 2:4) In each case, we are to stop and ask, “Lord, are You trying to say something to me?”

God sometimes allows our prayers to remain unanswered in order to prompt us to sharpen our focus on Him. Or He may say no to our request in order to gain our attention. Disappointments, difficulties, and failures are occasionally used by Him for the same reason. If we are wise, we will quickly seek Him out. In tragedies, financial reversals, and physical affliction, God waits to see if we will turn to Him and ask, “God, are You speaking to me?”

God deserves our undivided attention, but we get preoccupied. He waits to speak with us, but we are busy looking at our circumstances. Allow the events of life—both the pleasant and the painful—to prompt you to turn to God and ask, “Lord, are You asking for my attention?”