Are you listening?

Some world leaders are being heard, and don't like it. 

Of course, I am referring to the 'revelations' that the US spying networks have been listening in on mobile phone conversations from German & French leaders. Apparently, everyone at the that level already knows that everyone else is listening. What is annoying them is that people like us now know!

In a culture which is overloaded with media and information, most of us find listening quite difficult. It is very common to see a group of people apparently talking amongst themselves, while actually all are attending to their own mobile phones. Little is really being heard, and people are increasingly deaf to those who are closest.

Jesus constantly focused on our need to listen, and his parables were designed to explore whether or not people could be bothered to work out what he was on about. The start and finish of the Parable of the Sower illustrates the point. '“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed.  . . . . . Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” (Mark 4.3, 9)

Taking the time to hear well, to listen and understand, to question and probe, to grow in wisdom, as we try to make sense of life's endless puzzles, is what all of us need to do. Otherwise, we will be like the foolish person in Jesus' parable about the man who ignored what Jesus was saying. '“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the flood-waters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 

But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” (Matthew 7.24-27)

To be wise is to listen to Jesus and follow what He says, and act with obedience. That way we are building for the future, rather than living for the present. That sounds like a good idea!
Best wishes,

Richard