Before the advent of DVR, I would get into a little communication trouble with my wife. Do you know what I’m talking about? She’d be recalling her day, spilling her heart in need of my attention only to realize that I had turned my head towards her but my eyes were on the TV. Truthfully, I wasn’t listening. Then, because she’s got a great sense of humor, she would launch into a wild story of mythical creatures with superhuman feats of strength; she was on to me.
The tables got turned on me. I was boarding a plane when it happened. The flight attendant was explaining the safety procedures, what to do in an emergency, but no one was listening. She was giving vital information as she explained these important precautions. The irony of her explaining this to the tops of the heads of the passengers as they stare at books and various electronic distractions was not lost on me. But I resisted the urge to speak up, “Sir, you’re in an exit row. I need you to pay attention. I don’t think you understand how important this is. Would you like me to switch with you? I mean, I’m ready for the job of helping people out of this plane safely should we plummet from 10,000 feet.”
Isn’t that like us though? There are so many things distracting us from the present moment; things that keep us occupied so we don’t have to deal with what’s happening around us.
Listening and hearing are different.
How many times have we listened to God? Often we bombard God with requests, but He longs to speak to us. God is speaking. The question is, are we paying attention?
Do more than just hear the message; listen to the words as God speaks to you today.
Matt
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” -Romans 10:17
Matt Hastings lives with his wife Keri and their five children in Tullahoma, Tennessee. He is the pastor of the Estill Springs Church of the Nazarene. [Editor’s Note: Matt has graciously allowed us to republish his weekly email devotionals on our site for our readers.]