Friday, June 9, 2017
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
ARE YOU A GOOD LISTENER?
Are you a good listener? It's not as easy as it might seem. Do you multi-task while talking on the phone, and then find yourself saying later, "Now what did she say, and what did I say I was going to do?" In face-to-face conversation do you become impatient, have trouble letting the other person finish their thought, and interrupt with what you want to say? In our world of short attention spans and information overload, listening is not easy. But it is vitally important. Daydream while directions for a test are given, and you may fail it. If the doctor prescribes a medication and tells you to take one pill twice a day with a full glass of water for two weeks, and all you hear is, "Take these pills," you may put your health in danger.
Listening is even more critical when it is the Lord speaking about our relationship with Him and our eternal wellbeing. Yet many listen only casually or not at all. Some hear only what they want to hear. Others tire of listening, interrupt, and try to correct God. How well do we listen? Do we give our full attention to what we read and hear in the Word? Do we listen to everything the Lord has to say, or do we become impatient after a couple of minutes, and do something else? The Lord has much to say, all of which is relevant to each of us today. We need to hear it all: the uncomfortable, humbling truth of our sin, and the life-giving message of Christ crucified and risen for our salvation. May the Spirit grant us grace to be good listeners!
