As sports leagues contemplate their options to host live games again, we’re hearing that initially stadiums and arenas probably won’t have any fans. There are positives and negatives to consider with this – just as there are with the many other situations we’re facing right now.

If we look at one of the positives, players will be more likely to hear their coaches from the sidelines without the crowd noise drowning them out.

Of course, it’s going to seem weird without fans yelling and cheering, but now coaches can get their message across to their players without having to compete with “Joe the fan” in section 3 who is yelling at the refs.

Players look to their coaches for what play should be called, directions on how to line up, and to gain encouragement from what is being shouted. But when the crowd is so loud, players have difficulty hearing what is being said and the noise prevents clear communication.

As we fight for silver linings and optimistically wait for sports to return (even with no crowds), this concept of players being able to hear their coaches better without noise compares to how we hear God speaking to us.

God has a message for us, calls “plays” for us, gives us direction, and encourages us through His Word. Unfortunately, our lives can become so noisy that we hear the sounds of the crowd instead of the whispers from our Heavenly Father.

As followers of Jesus, we must choose the “fanless arenas” by intentionally quieting our hearts and minds to hear His voice and decipher what He wants us to know.

We must get away from the outside noise and block out “Joe the fan” and other distractions so we can clearly distinguish what the Lord is speaking to our hearts. It’s important to daily give Him our full attention.

God wants us to know Him, communicate with Him, and understand what He’s speaking through His Word. Not only do we need to hear from Him, but we must act on what we hear Him telling us to do.

In Luke 11:28 (NLT) Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the Word of God and put it into practice.”

Hebrews 2:1 (AMP) shows us why we must listen closely: “For this reason [that is, because of God’s final revelation in His Son Jesus and because of Jesus’ superiority to the angels] we must pay much closer attention than ever to the things that we have heard, so that we do not [in any way] drift away from truth.”

In Mark 4:24-25 (NLT) it says, “Then He added, ‘Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.’”

Imagine how much more in sync players and coaches will be without the fans interrupting their communication.

Today, let’s figure out what is inhibiting us from being still and quiet enough to hear God speak. Let’s go ahead and remove it so we can pay close attention to what He’s saying.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to know Your Word and hear Your voice speak to me. I know You’re willing to lead me and encourage me as You show me which way to go. I pray I’d remove the distractions and noise that are getting in the way from hearing clearly. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS: