“Are You Listening?”

We may not desire to admit it, but haven’t we all been asked at various points in life . . . “are you listening to me?”  Our answer was likely “yes.”  I wonder how often that answer is the truth?  As our eyes sort of glaze over and our focus is clearly elsewhere, the human speaking knows the answer before asking the question.

Jesus wants to speak to us.  He wants us to listen.  He hears our cries.  He holds the answer.  We rant that our prayers aren’t answered.  Our problems go unsolved.  He is saddened by our lack of stillness and our lack of focus . . . He doesn’t ask us “are you listening?”  He knows.  He waits.  We run in circles.  Like a pup, we chase our tails.  Eventually we fall.  Then we listen.  Does He remind us it wouldn’t have happened if we’d only have listened?  No, but I would have.  Does He point out “serves you right” as we lay on the floor?  No, but I would have.  Does He withhold treasure and send us away . . . “go to your room, child!”  No, but I would have.  He is the answer.  He is the definition of love.

1 Samuel 3:7-11

King James Version (KJV)

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.

8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.

9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

11 And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.