ARE YOU LISTENING?
“Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.“– Matt. 13:9
The song writer said it well when he wrote “Take Time to be Holy.” The fact is, you can’t be holy in a hurry! But with our shortened attention span and other factors created by our high-tech addiction it gets more and more difficult to do what we must to get what we need.
Something happened the other day that reminded me of the need for discipline when it comes to listening. I was watching a man I respect preaching from verses I love, on a subject I need. However, within ten minutes I was, for lack of a better word, bored. My mind began to wonder and I lost interest. How could that be? I couldn’t blame the message or the messenger. The fault was entirely with me.
I’m not sure that I can explain why it happened, but the bottom line is I failed. That experience reminded me that regardless of what or how I preach the results depends on whether or not people give me their attention. I could reduce the length of my sermon or use certain pulpit antics to get attention, but that would leave people without what they need. The great need is for people to discipline themselves to listen – something most folks have never mastered.
I hope my failure will challenge you to give serious thought to your responsibility to hear the Word of God. Not only are we accountable for what we hear, we are responsible to hear the Word of God. Not only are we accountable for what we hear, we are responsible for what we could have heard. So, are you listening?
There are several factors that can hinder our hearing. It might be as simple as where you sit. Or it might be worry, anger, lack of sleep, medicine, etc., but I suspect that the biggest culprit is a lack of discipline. Being a good listener requires desire and effort. It takes hard work for most of us. In fact, we have to work at it all the time. But the benefits are worth the effort. Ask God to help you to learn to listen. He will and you’ll be glad you did! – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
