There is a funny video of an adorable 2 or 3 year old toddler arguing with his mother, shaking his hands and saying, “Karen, Karen – listen to me!” Honestly, we are all guilty of not listening on occasion. It is so easy to be thinking of something else while, at the same time, hearing someone speak.
I was thinking of all this as I worked outside recently on a cool, sunny, sky blue cloudless day. The weather was amazing and I had the energy to do a little weeding and planting in the flower beds. I could hear the soothing trickle of water in our little pond as I worked. The Carolina wren was singing his heart out in the tree right above me. I recognized the caw of the noisy bluejay; the happy chirp of the cardinal; the cooing of the turtle doves. The yappy cow bird was annoying, but when I was close to the hummingbird feeder, I heard the buzzing of the ruby-throated hummingbird’s little wings, as he fed. After a couple of hard rains, I always smile when the tree frogs start their loud croaking at night. I live about 2 miles from the Central College Presbyterian Church, and on many clear evenings I can hear the organist’s chimes playing out an old hymn. Thank you, Lord, for these precious sounds that I can hear and enjoy in Your wonderful creation.
But do we hear when God is speaking directly to us? Do we listen carefully to His words to serve and obey? Proverbs 1:33 says “But whoever listens to Me will dwell safely, and will be secure without fear of evil”. Now that’s a verse to underline in your Bible!
God also gives us these guidelines for listening: “My son, if you accept My words, and store up My commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright; He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the path of the just, and protects the way of His faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul”. Proverbs 2:1 – 10
Let’s listen and hear more carefully to God speaking!