A Good Listener!

A guest speaker giving a commencement address began with the full attention of his audience. However, distractions soon began. First, a child started crying. This child was very shortly joined in chorus by a second. Then a small child began to run up and down an aisle, only to soon be chased by another. The speaker found himself getting that sinking feeling only a public speaker knows when it is realized he has lost his audience. Quickly he began to try every trick he could think of to regain everyone's attention. He told a joke, he spoke louder, he stared at the area of distraction -- but nothing seemed to help. Then he spotted one good listener; an elderly man in the very front row who sat looking up, smiling, and nodding agreeably; obviously a very attentive listener. The speaker decided to focus his attention on this one listener and eventually gained the attention of the rest of the audience.

Following the program, the speaker asked to be introduced to the old gentleman. As they began to approach him he was told, "It may be difficult, however. You see, the old fellow is stone deaf."

How do we think God feels when He has made His wisdom known, the world seems to be acknowledging, but then turns its own way as if completely stone deaf? Do we ever read God's Word and nod knowingly, but then go on in life as if we never heard a word?

The song about the "Wise Man and Foolish Man" may be sung more by children, but its message is for all of us. Remember, Jesus said. . .

"(24) Everyone then who HEARS these words of mine AND DOES THEM will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (25) And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. (26) And everyone who HEARS these words of mine AND DOES NOT DO THEM will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. (27) And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." ( Matthew 7:24-27 ESV)

There is a worse crash than that of our computers -- and that is the crash of our life due to listening and not putting God's wisdom into practice. God has spoken. He continues to speak through His word. HOW GOOD OF AN AUDIENCE ARE WE TO HIM? Are we LISTENING? Are His words REGISTERING in our minds? God desires more from us than merely a smile and a nod. He wants OUR ATTENTION so that His message may be received. He wants His message to impact our lives. After all, it is to our benefit.

Have a great day LENDING GOD YOUR LISTENING EAR!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 02/02/1999 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

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