Considering Our Part!

When we get in a hurry -- when our mind is on what we ourselves are going to do -- it can be easy to be found only half listening to what another is saying. A teen heading out to join friends in an activity may be rushing out the door with a parent asking, “Did you hear me?” and responding as the door is shutting, “Ya, I heard you.” However, what really marked the listening? Was the parent’s communication to their teen truly successful? Or was the communication something the teen “thought” they had heard before and so what they “heard” (i.e. what registered in their mind) was merely what they thought was going to be said? Is such a tendency outgrown as one moves into adulthood? Is the listening what it ought to be for any of us even with regard to the message of God? Do we find ourselves either reading or hearing passages we feel are so familiar we might be missing the fresh application for today?

Jesus was the Master Teacher. Reading through the Gospels we see His wisdom in the manner in which He responded to questions. He knew what message was needed for the moment. Everything He spoke was a truth to be pondered. Still, part of the success in communicating those truths depended on the one to whom they were spoken.

Luke recorded the following words from Jesus.
“(16) No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. (17) For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. (18) TAKE CARE THEN HOW YOU HEAR, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” ( Luke 8:16-18 ESV)

Listening to the teaching of Jesus was the opportunity to be enlightened. The truths He taught were not to be hidden, but as the “Word [that] became flesh” and being “full of grace and truth” ( John 1:14) walked this earth, the light of the Gospel (good news of salvation in Christ) was being made manifest. However, those who listened needed to TAKE CARE HOW THEY WERE HEARING! As each truth was taken to heart, more could be easily built upon it, and the knowledge of God’s Will would continue to increase. If the listening was not as it should be, even what one began to hear could be lost.

Earlier in this chapter, Luke recorded Jesus closing the parable of the “Sower” with the statement, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” ( Luke 8:8) Perhaps in today’s language we might hear someone say, “You’ve got two ears, use them!” The full picture of communication is not just having something said, but having it received and understood. Therefore we must understand that regardless of how clearly some things are made, if the HEARING is not as it should be, communication has failed.

Taking CARE HOW WE HEAR as we interact with others is the considerate thing to do and will help guard against many misunderstandings. Taking CARE HOW WE HEAR when it comes to the enlightenment of God’s message will reveal our interest in and reverence for His Will, as well as help guard against our departing from The Way that leads to eternal life. Does He have our COMPLETE ATTENTION? May we use the ears God gave us for the purpose for which He made them so that we may receive the blessings He desires to provide for life now and for eternity.

Have a great day GIVING GOD’S WILL OUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION!
Carl

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