Listen then if you have ears.
God knew we wouldn’t listen. He knew when he created us and placed those two apparatuses on the sides of our head that regardless of whether they could actually detect audible sounds, we still would struggle with listening. His instruction is consistent,
“This is my beloved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” Matthew 17:5.
“Be quick to listen, slow to speak…” James 1:19.
“…Listen, listen to me and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaiah 55:2-3.
And then there was Jesus who followed up almost everything He said with “Listen then if you have ears.” He said this REPEATEDLY, and the disciples never seemed to get it.
Why is listening such a big deal?
You share a gift when you give someone the privilege of being listened to. You also receive in return. There’s a difference between being heard and having someone truly listen. Hearing is mechanics. Does the sound reach your eardrum? Assuming there are no “mechanical” challenges, then yes. Sound reaches your eardrum, and it does what sound does. It creates reverberations that translate to create sounds. Listening however requires active participation. It is an invitation to the heart. It’s an act of love, and a path to mercy, forgiveness, transfer of knowledge, growth, and so much more. Listening is like manna. It feed us. God knew we would benefit if only we would listen.
If you’re anything like me, sometimes I want to put on some noise cancelling headphones and enjoy the mindfulness that comes with just listening to my own breathing.
COVID this, that and the other. Politics this, that and the other. Racism this, that and the other. Sickness this, that and the other, and I can go on, and on, and on. It gets tiresome. If listening is food then those are cuisines that I get weary of consuming, and so I turn off and turn away. I stop listening.
That’s not a bad thing. Mindfulness is a deliberate and learned practice; and although I painted it as an activity of turning off your ears, it is very much the action of listening, but it’s listening with the heart instead of listening with the brain. I think that’s what God was encouraging us to do. No, His instruction isn’t to block out all that’s unpleasant – if I pay no attention, how can I be a blessing to my fellow man? I shouldn’t be blind to the pain, suffering and needs of my fellow brothers and sisters – but His yearning is that we will listen and hear with our hearts. Don’t turn away and stop hearing. Turn towards and start listening. Listen with your heart and allow the growth, the understanding, the mercy, the forgiveness, the compassion, the empathy, the thankfulness, the love for others to expand you instead of tear you down.
Jesus says to listen then if you have ears. I’m trying, won’t you try with me? Let’s grow together.