Are You Listening?

Do you find that very often when you are speaking to someone you realise that they are not really listening to you? Preachers can get that feeling as they look at their congregation! If only one could read the people's thoughts, no doubt some would be thinking of their Sunday lunch or what shopping they need to do on Monday morning, or even what the person in the seat in front of them is wearing! They may be hearing the preacher, but they are not listening. As we might say to children when we want them to take on board what we are saying, 'Focus!' many a preacher would like to say that too!

When Jesus sent messages to the churches we read about in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 he had very serious message for them — some of praise, some of warning, some of sharp criticism. To every one of the churches he said 'are you listening to me?' "He who has an ear, let him hear".

This message applies to us as well. When we read our Bible we can very easily forget all about what we have just been reading. We were not really listening to what God was saying to us. If we become good listeners of God's word then we will become good doers of God's word and that is pleasing to God. The Bible says we are blessed when we listen to God's wisdom, so pay attention.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, you know all about us and you know that our thoughts often wander when we read the Bible or hear your Word preached. Help us to listen attentively. Amen.