Summary

SummaryI’m Hailey, and I’ve always prided myself on being a good listenerβ€”friends and family tell me that all the time. Yet when it comes to really hearing God’s voice, I discovered how hard it can be to quiet my own ambitions and distractions πŸ˜“. I grew up in Blair, Nebraska, though my earliest memories were spent in Cameroon, West Africa, where my parents served as missionaries installing clean water wells. Returning to the States, I landed at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, majoring in animal science. It was there that I met Josiah in genetics class, and our very first conversation was about faith and following Jesus together ❀️.

I remember praying before our first date, asking God if Josiah was the one I should let pursue me. He showed up with his Bible, and we read Scripture that dayβ€”an unforgettable confirmation that our paths were aligned by God’s purpose πŸ™. As I pushed for academic success, making straight A’s through high school to get into college, I realized I’d crafted a list of demands for God: β€œDo this, do thatβ€”make me into My Plan.” But true relationship isn’t a wish list; it’s about trusting His heart and direction.

For the longest time, I tried to work for God in my own strengthβ€”over-scheduling ministry, trying to β€œproduce” results. Yet the burden of performance nearly crushed me. Only when I surrendered and asked the Holy Spirit to empower my voice did I find true freedom to serve. Now Josiah and I are praying for God to mold our hearts toward a specific people group. Even though we don’t know exactly where He’s calling us, we sense His leading in Central Lincoln and are preparing for long-term missions abroad 🌍.

Through this journey, I learned that listening to God means releasing controlβ€”when I cling to my own agenda, I can’t hear His voice. But when I step forward blindfolded in faith, trusting His guidance, I discover He’s always a few steps ahead, leading me toward His perfect plan πŸ™Œ.

If we have spent any amount of time in church or any number of years following God, we understand this critical need to be able to listen, to hear what God wants for us. So why is it so hard? The world around us, the things I want to accomplish today, they all get in the way of my ability to listen, to really know the heart of a loving God. So let the experiment begin!

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Time Chapters
Β 
00:46 Background: Cameroon & Nebraska
01:20 Forming faith-centered relationship
02:50 Redefining success through prayer
03:50 Relying on Holy Spirit, not self
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Lincoln Berean
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