Are You Listening to Me?

Have you ever been in conversation with someone when, part way through it you get the distinct feeling that the other person’s mind is on other things? How often have you said to your children, “Are you listening to me?” Maybe you’ve heard the teacher ask the class, “Are you listening to me?” As a pastor, I sometimes ask the congregation, “Are you listening?” Or maybe when talking to your spouse or friend you’ve asked the question. 

I hate to admit it, but in one way or another my wife Kim has asked me the question numerous times. She might be telling me about her day at work or about some situation she’s facing when she soon realizes that I’m not really listening. Afterall, having been married for almost 36 years she can quickly tell when my mind has begun to wander and, although I may be nodding my head to what she’s saying, she knows I’m not really listening. (I’m sorry, Kim!) 

It’s a sad fact that so often we have to ask each other, “Are you listening to me?” After all, knowing that someone is not only hearing your words but is actually listening to you is so important to our relationships. Listening is one of the ways that we let the other person know that we value them. It is through the sharing of our thoughts and emotions and then actually listening  to what the other person is saying, that we get to really know each other. When we have to ask, “Are you listening to me?”, we feel devalued, hurt, and less apt to continue the conversation, and possibly the relationship. 

As I think about the question, “Are you listening to me?” two thoughts come to my mind. The first is the fact that, we have a God who has promised to listen to us as we express our needs to him in prayer.  With confidence the psalmist could say, “But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.” (Psalm 66:19 – ESV) And such is the case for all of God’s children. God invites us to talk to him in prayer and he has promised to listen—and to answer! 

Secondly, however, I can’t help but hear God asking us the question even as he did to his people so many times throughout the Scriptures? For we hear God crying out to his people, “Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! O Israel, if you would but listen to me!” (Psalm 81:8) and “Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last.” (Isaiah 48:12) Although God in his grace had spoken and was speaking, he quickly knew his people were not really listening to his voice for they had become distracted by the things of this world; their minds were on other things. In essence he asks the question over and over again, “Are you listening to me?” 

I’m so thankful that when we go to God in prayer and share with him what we have need of, we can rest assured that he is listening.  But I also think he is asking us the question, “Are you listening to me?” After all, through his Word and by his Spirit God continues to speak into our lives to instruct us and lead us into everlasting life. If we are not careful our minds can begin to wander and we will fail to hear what God is saying to us. 

God might be asking you and me the question today, “Are you listening to me?” 

Have a great day! 

- Pastor Tim Harris