Are You Listening?

 Are you listening to me?  Did you hear what I just said?  You are on another planet and did not hear a word I said!

Listening is more than just hearing.  It is paying attention with your ears, eyes, and mind!  Eyes?  Yes, your eyes.  Did your schoolteacher surprise you with…”Pay attention!”  Was your teacher asking you merely to listen, or was the command meant to cause you to focus your ears, eyes and mind on classroom teaching?

The Bible contains over 100 verses covering listening.  We listen to parents, friends, spouses and omit the most important source…God.  Have you allowed God to speak to you recently?  Are you listening?

James, the brother of Jesus, gave us a gem of God’s truth.  Let’s read it together.

 

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! James 1:22

 

As an ADHD child, much of my life was spent listening to adults chasten me for not listening.  My mind always seemed to be away from the needs at hand and never in the present.  I wanted to listen to whomever was speaking, but so many other things clamored for my attention.  There was always too much going on for me to focus on one activity.

 

In the Walt Disney movie, Moana, our heroine (Moana) had a calling on her life for an important mission.  Her understanding of the mission was full of gaps.  She wanted to fulfill her calling but really had no idea how to begin.  Grandma, however had the knowledge and understanding of Moana’s calling, and in her years of wisdom, waited until Moana was ready to listen…ready to receive “Grandma wisdom.”

Our scene opens on the beach.  Grandma is humming and swaying to her inward music.  Moana is furious and complaining about her life.  This short conversation ensues:


Moana - Is there something you want to tell me?
Grandma- Is There something you want to hear?

 

“Is there something you want to hear?”  Hearing this exchange for the first time caused me to pause the movie.  Is there something I want to hear?  Have I missed something in my life that I need to hear?

I almost laughed!  These wise words came from a cartoon, yet they reached my soul.  I almost fell off the sofa with the realization…I listen every day, yet how much do I really hear?  I mean…Really hear?

 

James 1:22 says…”Listen…don’t let the words go in one ear and out the other.”  He continues, “Act on what you hear!”

- Is there something you want to tell me?

 

- Is There something you want to hear?

 

Are you listening?

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