Are You Listening?
Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear. Luke 8:9
When I was growing up, when my mom gave us instructions, she often repeated them several times. When my sister, brother and I protested this she would say, “I know you can hear me, the question is will you listen to me.” Some of the most important listening we do is when we gather for worship to hear what the Lord has to say to us.
According to Jesus, listening is crucially important, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” Or, as Jesus says after telling another parable, “Consider carefully how you listen”.
Listening to God’s Word is a tremendous privilege, but it’s also a great responsibility. What will we do with what we have heard?
After every worship service perhaps we should ask ourselves, “What did I hear the Lord say to me? How will it affect my life? What am I going to do about what I have heard?” That’s what really matters. In the words of the apostle James, we must become doers of God’s Word as well as hearers (James 1:22).
Holy Spirit, teach us how to listen, and help us to become doers of Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.