About five months ago I came out of a store and my attention was immediately drawn to shouting in the parking lot. As always I was in a rush. My family was waiting on me and if I did not leave right then I was going to be late. I started to go to my car when I noticed that the shouting turned into pushing and then punching. Before I even realized what I was doing I was at the fight asking the people to stop. For a brief moment they listened. They heard my voice and stopped but only for an instant. At that moment their anger was the only thing they could respond to. I called the police as they continued to fight. There was so much anger between them that nothing, not even the threat of the police coming, could stop them. Eventually one of them heard the police coming and decided it was time to leave. I later found out that the people fighting were brothers.

So, how is it that brothers could be so angry at each other that they would continue to fight and risk being arrested? Even with a voice pleading with them to stop and warnings of the emanate consequences, the rage continued. The how, in my opinion is that they were consumed. They were consumed with anger. Just like the anger of the brothers there are things in our lives, both bad and good, that consume us and prevent us from heeding the warnings of our Heavenly Father. We get so wrapped up in what we are doing that we do not hear the still small voice that is speaking to us trying to guide us down his chosen path. This week I have been working on listening. Listening for God's voice over all else. I encourage you to join me this week in looking at the things that consume our lives.. What is it that we do that hinders us from hearing from God? Remember that God only wants the best for us so take time to listen for His voice.