Listening and hearing…..

Continuing on with the DA post….

 

Jesus said many times, “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear.”  That statement has always struck me as strange. Everyone has ears (well, almost everyone), and everyone who has ears can hear.  This is not what I believe that Jesus was saying.

 

I believe He may saying, if you can hear (relate) to what I am saying, then hear Me.  Our perspective has everything to do with our ability to hear.

 

Hearing and listening are two different things.  I can hear talking in a crowded room, but because it does not apply to me, I do not listen.  When someone important in my life talks to me, I tune in.  I really lean forward, listen and try to hear what is being said.  I hear more than the words.  I hear the intonation, the emotion, the parsing of the words.   That being said, what I hear may be very different from what is said.

 

This is where the relevance comes in.  If we are talking, but no one is listening, then we are not getting anywhere.  We (the church) must become relevant so that others will listen, and hear the heart of God.  There is nothing any sadder than trying to tell someone about something wonderful, but they are deaf to your words.

 

There was quite a bit of discussion on this topic yesterday.  It was clear that not everyone was hearing my heart.  It is not incumbent upon the listener to hear correctly.  It is the responsibility of the sent ones to make sure that their message is relevant so it can be heard.

 
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth.  Is 52:7

 

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  Romans 10:14.   Here is it in the vernacular     But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it?

 

We have to tell, in a way that can be heard.

 

Until next time,

 

Polly

  • Denise Vessels says:

    I love how God used this DA posting for His glory! The message is clear to all who have ears….and to the others, they need to question what is being missed, and ‘allow’ it to be revealed. My upbringing created a judgmental attitude in our home…a spirit if you will. I have to set aside that which was taught as ‘proper’ (appearance in this case), and accept people as they come. I die to this daily because such strong messages were sent in the home of origin. Fortunately, I have a wonderful ‘poker’ face, even though my thoughts may reach back to the beginning, and inwardly my eyebrow raises, ….but God brings my thoughts immediately to His heart, and I can, through His abilities, see past the packaging to the heart. I pray that I can continue to be ‘relevant’ to those around me, to those who come through the doors of church, or up to me in the store or work. I so want to mirror Christ to others! Thanks for continuing the message. I needed to openly confess this in myself, and bring it out into the open!

    • Wow… That is certainly insightful, and that is exactly what I am talking about. We have to reach outside what ‘looks, appears’ into what/how Jesus wants to respond. He always responds to the hurting heart. The scripture says, “When my heart is overwhelmed, I run to your strong tower.” This is what I want as a child of God, so this is what I must extend to those in my circle of influence.

      Isn’t it just lovely, that when we die to ourselves, we are raised in newness of life in Him? Gotta love that divine exchange. Thanks for the comment!
      Polly