Listening

Today’s message was written by Guest Pastor, Chaplin Bob Griffiths.

Like most kids, I wanted to do just as I pleased. “ Yeah, Mom” or “okay, Dad” was my usual response to whatever they asked me or told me to do, and then I’d go on with whatever it was I wanted to do. So when they really wanted to get my attention, they would get in my face and announce firmly, “Bob – now listen to me!!!” And I grudgingly stopped, listened, and obeyed (well, most of the time). 

But God doesn’t work that way. God doesn’t get in our face and yell at us to pay attention. Indeed, God gave us free will to listen and obey – or not. Perhaps that’s why we (including me) don’t always pay attention to what God’s telling me. And that’s why I end my morning devotions with one of my favorite lines from the Bible (Psalm 95): “Oh, that today we would hearken to His voice!” To which I add “Oh, that today I would hearken to His voice.” Because hearken means “to listen carefully to,” and I don’t do that every waking moment. Think of what a difference it would make in the world if all of us hearkened to God’s voice. For God’s pretty clear about what’s expected. The prophet Micah put it this way: “To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” And Paul wrote to the Christians in Galatia (part of modern-day Turkey): “the harvest of God is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, fidelity, gentleness, and self-control.” Couldn’t be clearer! So let’s listen – and do our darnedest to obey. 

Let us pray: Loving God, you are always more ready to give than we to receive, and your never-failing love embraces us all. Help us to unstop the ear of our hearts as you lovingly call us into your wonderful light. Give us grace as we go out this day to do your will and show forth your love to all we encounter. Amen.