The Power of Listening

“I’m all ears!” This is a phrase that has been often used in the past to convince someone that I am really focused on listening to what they want to say. It is often said that there is a good reason God gave us two ears and only one mouth. He wants us to listen twice as much as we speak.

Let’s face it. We are often so busy with activities and face so many demands in our lives that we react rather than respond. We say many words and avoid situations where there is silence. Even in a context of worship with others, our minds drift quickly from one thing to another.

God warns the leaders and people of Malachi’s day to listen: “Listen to me and take it to heart. Honor my name says the Lord God Almighty…” (Malachi 2:2a, NLT) But, it takes time to enlarge our listening capacity. The more we listen, the more blessed and encouraged we will be – drawing awesome spiritual resources from God’s deep well of salvation and joy that we can use to truly encourage those in need.

In I Samuel chapter 3, the young boy Samuel had to learn to listen to the voice of God. It was absolutely essential for living a life of purpose and mission. Samuel became one of God’s greatest leaders as a prophet because he learned to expand his ability to listen to God. On the fourth time that the Lord called, Samuel replied: “Yes, your servant is listening.” (I Samuel 3:10a,NLT) Are you listening?

Space Mountain Shakedown

Space mountain! I love hiking in the mountains! While joining the extra long line-up at Space Mountain ride in Disneyland, I thought that this ride would be fun a “piece of cake”. We had flown to San Diego and then traveled up to Orange County in 2005 so that I could speak on marriage at the wedding of Sandra’s sister, Jana. During this trip, we had a day to spend at Disneyland.

So, I joined our son, David and his wife Krysten on this popular ride, Space Mountain. Until now it had been a lot of fun. But, I was in for a jolt! Not long into the ride, I knew that I was in trouble. I prefer rides out in the open where I can see everything but this ride was in almost total darkness. Scattered dim lights simulated the stars in space. But, this ride had me shaking up and down, twisting and turning, stomach churning movements —that seemed like it was going on forever. The longer we shook down, the more my stomach contents rose up until….suddenly, there appeared a flash of light and then one final plunge down to the end of the ride and brilliant sunshine!

A camera snapped a photo of me – bulging eyes wide open – mouth wide open - and a frazzled expression that made it look as if I had just plunged from the heights without a parachute! My “loving” family laughed at me!

The experience reminds me of a group of people - male and female - who endured a shaky “ride” through a tunnel of darkness far greater than Space Mountain. The Bible describes it in Luke 23:44-45:

By this time it was noon and darkness fell across the whole land until

three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And, suddenly the thick

veil hanging in the temple was torn apart.

Imagine the turmoil they felt as the darkness engulfed the whole land where they stood watching Jesus die on the cross. But then came that glorious flash of light! The light of victory and triumph! The announcement of the angel beside the EMPTY tomb. “He isn’t here. He has risen from the dead!” (Luke 24:6 NLT)

Later, on the way to the village of Emmaus, two of them emerged completely from the darkness of despair into the light of life and freedom “…suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him” (Luke 14:31a, NLT). Take time to SEE Jesus in all His glory and live today in the light of His triumph over sin and death. Hallelujah, He is risen!

The Treadmill Triple

This insight emerged from my experience with God on March 4 at the Alliance New Worker’s Retreat. Psalm 73:23-26 so impacted and refreshed me that I decided to put these words on a 3x5 card for memorization. On my first day back home, I returned to my gym exercise routine.

On my way to the cardio part of my work-out, I heard three voices call out “Stu”. They were all persons with whom I have been building a relationship. Immediately, I walked over to the treadmill section of the gym and jumped on a treadmill machine next to Jim. Jim is not a Christian. Noticing that I was carrying my card with Bible verses on it, he asked me, “Stewart, what have you got there?”

I replied: “These are Bible verses that I am memorizing.”

He pressed further. “What does it say?”

So, I read to him these words (praying that God would use them to reach his heart):

…I am always with you;

You uphold me by my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

And afterward you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in Heaven but you?

And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

But God is the strength of my heart

And my portion forever! ((Psalm 73:23-26,NIV)

The conversation that followed gave me another opportunity to talk with Jim of what it meant to establish a faith relationship with God. It reminded me of three results that I can achieve just by running or walking on the treadmill—the treadmill triple!

It starts with the opportunity for me to gain better physical health and maintain a certain level of physical conditioning. Secondly, the treadmill run gave me the opportunity to memorize some of God’s word and strengthen my spiritual health. Thirdly, that recent experience gave me a tremendous opportunity to continue my witness to Jim and help increase his understanding of God when he was open to this “knock “of God on his heart.

So, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, be alert to opportunities God has for you as well. Look for these three ways to accomplish the “treadmill triple”!

The Friendship Store

Wal-Mart recently announced that their store in our neighborhood would be now open 24 hours a day. Their intention is to be available to their loyal customers whenever a need arises. Wow! 24 hour shopping!

Do I need this? I don’t think so. But, what I do need is the availability of a friend at any time, at all times, for 24 hours. Let’s call it “the friendship store.” It’s really our church family which God intends to be His listening ear, His seeing eye, His caring heart and His helping hands.

The Bible says that “a friend is loyal at all times, and a brother is born to help in time of need (Proverbs 17:17, NLT). The first place where you and I should be able to search for a true friend is in our church – the Church of Christ. Are you a true friend, willing to be there for someone in genuine need? “There are (false friends) who destroy each other but a real friend sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24, NLT).

You may find it difficult to get close to someone in your church. Such a person may not be acting as a friend to you. The answer to this is for you to draw closer to God and to ask Him to give you a heart of love for someone who seems unlovable to you. It starts with you and it starts with me – breaking down “walls” and restoring relationships for 24 hour service.

Richard Exley was correct:

A true friend is one who hears and understands when you share your

deepest feelings. He supports you when you are struggling. He corrects

you gently and with love when you err, and he forgives you when you

fail. A true friend prods you to personal growth, stretches you to full

potential. And, most amazing of all, he celebrates your successes as if

they were his very own.

God calls you and I to become such a friend – always. Your church family is intended by God to become a 24 hour “friendship store”. Are you ready to join?

Pastor Stewart