Hearing and Following

A lack of apprehension of two great points, hearing and following, is notable at this present time. The quietness of communion is little known or enjoyed in these busy, active days. How truly the moment speaks loudly of unrest and unreality, and how little is known, even among the saints, of that deep, personal, unexpressed joy in Christ.
The satisfaction of the heart in the personal nearness of the Lord, the being in His company for the simple joy of it, is true communion. Thus it is we have a common mind with Him, which is the meaning of communion. When this is the case, we know the mind of our Lord and Master, and this is what qualifies us for every service as Christ's confidential servants. It is well to bear in mind that the amount of our service or the laboriousness of our work does not of itself make us confidential servants.
There is a very intimate connection between the two attitudes of soul we are considering. In fact, they are dependent on one another. It is very blessed to see the producing and maintaining power of hearing and following Christ. He and He alone is the source and spring of communion—accessible to each listening heart. To be a good listener, one must be both free and at rest.