GodReflection: Power Word Wednesday

“Speak, for your servant is listening.” – Samuel the Prophet

My sixth grade teacher had my number. Her note on my report card read: Gary Joe needs to listen to directions. He could do much better work. She should have made a rubber stamp and passed it on to all of my future teachers.

I’ve noticed that I don’t have a corner on the market of poor listeners. Good listeners are like hidden treasures. When I find one I know I’ve struck gold. They always have great insights.

The Bible translation I normally read uses the word “listen” four hundred twelve times. As I scan through the passages most classify listening as either good or bad.

Good listening leads to God. Poor listening leads away from God.

Each time I go through a Genesis to Revelation read, I observe all of the chaos in Scripture caused by deaf ears connected to hard hearts, I would like to think I got the message. To listen is to learn.

However, I still find myself pained and inflicting pain because I fail to listen.

The Gospels record Jesus’ search for those with good ears connected to fertile hearts. He constantly pleaded with the people to hear his teachings, to listen, and understand.

On the occasion when Jesus led Peter, James, and John up a mountain trail to witness a meeting with Moses and Elijah, Peter once again said the wrong thing.

I suspect the three told the story to Matthew who shares the event with future readers:

While he [Peter] was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Then, it is as if Matthew adds a second punch line to the story as the three open their eyes from their terrified pose on the ground:

When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 

Moses and the prophets served their purpose. They pointed history toward Jesus. Now it is Jesus alone.

Here is what I think.

The more I make seeing no one except Jesus a greater focus of life, the richer my life will be.

To do so I need the guidance and power that comes from listening to Jesus.

I need a pair of Jesus head phones.

I want to allow Jesus to speak into my ears to penetrate my mind and my heart.

As I listen to Jesus the less I will be distracted by seasonal political noise, the latest attempt by the media to derail, and the latest market ad to make sin sell.

If I listen more to Jesus shouldn’t that leave fewer occasions for sin to bite me?

If I listen more to Jesus wouldn’t that cause me to treat people better?

Shouldn’t it make me smile more as he increases my inner peace?

Wouldn’t that cause me to more readily reflect His heart to others on my path?

I am reminded of Jesus purpose with me:

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” – John 10:27.

I want to listen for the voice of the Shepherd.

Still at my age Gary Joe needs to listen to directions. To hone in on Jesus directions for living would make the word listen one of the power words of my walk, don’t you think?

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A GodReflection on Listen as a Word of Power.

Gary@Godreflection.org     www.MakeYourVisionGoViral.com