Anatomy of a Call: Hearing, Balance, and Movement

Stopping To Listen
I don’t know about you, but it is easy for me to think of hearing as a passive act.  However, deep listening often requires us to be intentionally still, which is definitely not easy for me!  Research shows that when we are physically still, our auditory processing is enhanced.  When our bodies are quiet, our brains can better isolate and interpret sound.

Spiritually, the same principle applies.  When we refuse to be still, we can easily get swept up in the “whirlwind” of modern life — the constant pings of notifications, the roar of our own busy schedules, and the inner distractions of our chattering minds.  However, when we are quiet, we are better able to catch the nuances of what God is whispering to us.  In other words, being still is not just about resting; it is about creating the necessary space to focus, trust, and receive God’s guidance.

Balance and the Inner Ear
Another fascinating fact is that our hearing and our equilibrium are interconnected: our sense of balance is literally located in the inner ear.  If we neglect our hearing — by failing to protect it or get it tested, for example— our physical stability suffers, making us more prone to stumbles.

This serves as a profound spiritual metaphor.  When our spiritual “hearing” is muffled by neglect or distraction, our sense of balance in life can get “off,” and we may “misstep” or miss where God is leading us.  As Isaiah 30:21 reminds us, we are promised a voice that directs our path, but we must have the ears to hear it to keep from falling.

Movement Toward Wholeness
While stillness helps us hear, movement helps us sustain that hearing; physical activity improves blood flow to the ears, directly impacting both our auditory health and our balance.

Likewise, God calls us to move into greater wholeness.  To live into this more fully, we must move to serve God, neighbor, and self, living out our discipleship as faithful followers of Christ.  However, in order to move forward in the direction God is calling, we have to hear before we can step into it. 

By using tools like the Ignatian Discernment process found in this month’s Waystation, we can more easily ensure that our movements are not just busy-work, but faithful responses to God’s “still, small voice.”

Reflection Questions for Your Consideration:

• If ‘Shalom’ had a sound in your life right now —a specific voice, a melody, or even a moment of silence—what would it sound like?
• What are one or two small steps you can take this week to amplify that sound?
  

Onward together,

Karen Webster

HSHC Co-founder/Executive Director

*Image credit: Canva