HEARING vs. LISTENING

January 24, 2008 by His Kingdom Herald.

Learning to HEAR God’s voice is one thing.

Learning to LISTEN to God is something totally different.

Have you ever asked someone to do something for you, only to have them give absolutely no response to your request?

Then, when you try to get their attention again, they give you this irritated response;

“I HEARD YOU!”.

I wonder how often we’ve done that to God.

We know what He wants us to do. . . we’ll get around to it eventually. . . it’s just not at the top of our priority list right now.

Perhaps part of our problem is that we picture our Heavenly Father sitting in a recliner in the living room of our lives.

Would our response to Him and our priorities be different if we really understood the reality of who He is?

In chapter 17 of the book of Matthew, three disciples were given the opportunity to see Jesus and His Father the way they really are:

2 As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. 3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.

4 Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials*-one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

5 But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said,”This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” 6 The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground. (NLT)

In the blink of an eye their perspective had changed.

Once that bright cloud overshadowed them, they lost site of that bright idea that threatened to distract them.

In the swirling mist they were once again able to focus on that which was truly important. . . listening.

REALLY listening.

Our Heavenly Daddy loves us deeply and unconditionally. It’s really hard for human beings to understand the depth of His love for us, because most of us have never had an opportunity to experience anything that comes close to unconditional love.

Yet in the midst of this unconditional love is the ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY of the CREATOR, RULER and SUSTAINER of EVERYTHING.

SO LISTEN TO HIM !

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