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Written by Michelle J. Goff, Founder and Executive Director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas
The natural wave in my hair helps it stay compliant when properly styled. However, left to its own devices, my hair has a style of its own, starting with the wispy baby hairs that frame my face, pointing in every direction. Every one of those hairs chooses its own chaotic path overnight, creating the effect of an untamed mane when I look in the mirror first thing in the morning.
After chuckling at the added disparity between my brown and gray hairs (my God highlights), I determine how to tame my tresses. I never leave it exactly how it looked after waking. That would be foolish. Instead, I do at least something about it with my brush.
James 1:22-25 states:
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (ESV)
Listening and doing. Hearing, seeing, understanding, and obeying. It is an ongoing process that requires commitment.
As James illustrates, when we listen to the Word, we are looking into a spiritual mirror. We are called to do something with what we hear. Dedicated commitment permits us to listen again and act on it, like when I catch a glimpse in the mirror later in the day and reach for my brush or adjust a hairclip.
“Listen first and twice.” That listening exercise from Called to Listen: Forty Days of Devotion reminds us of the importance of listening first to God (and to others). We seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness through His Word and His teaching (Mt 6:33; 2Ti 3:16-17; 2Pe 1:20-21). We listen first to others by holding our tongue and thinking before we respond (Jas 1:19).
Of equal importance is to listen twice. We think we know what we heard. Our confidence regarding our understanding of that original message can lead us to barrel through without confirmation. Or we may lack confidence in what we heard, leading us to doubt. In both instances, it is always wise to listen twice. “Then David inquired of the LORD again…” (1Sa 23:4). Throughout that chapter and in other instances, David listened at least twice.
Jesus demonstrated committed listening first, twice, and always, through consistent, intentional communication with His Father. He constantly rededicated Himself to listening and to speaking only what the Father said (Jn 12:49).
The practice of listening requires commitment. Listening is a practice because we are always learning. No student can perfectly play a piano the first time she sits down at the keys. But the more she practices and plays, the more she learns, and the better she gets. It is a choice to persevere, especially after making a mistake.
A commitment to listening requires ongoing dedication and a determination to practice. When we do it imperfectly, God lovingly invites us to repent and do it better the next time. We hear His mercy and grace. And the more we practice listening to Him, the more we want to hear His voice and follow His lead.
The more we listen, the more we deepen our relationship with Him. The more we listen, the more we fall in love with the One who calls us to obey what we hear. And our commitment to listening is strengthened.
We would love to help you renew or strengthen your commitment to listening! Check out our latest Bible study book: Committed to Listen: Forty Days of Dedication.
Thank you for your commitment to listening through our blog, as well! May God use us as His instruments to encourage and inspire each other to listen and act on what we hear (Jas 1:22-25). We appreciate your feedback and responses. We “listen” to each one.
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Written by Kristi Bond, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Heb 12:1 NIV)
We learn a lot just from growing old. Aging brings with it a host of ailments that challenge our physical capacities. Although it’s not unheard of, it is rare for 80-year-olds to run races. My back problems can attest that aging is not always fun! But one of the worst problems I have had in recent years has to do with my ability to hear.
A few years ago, I began to experience brief periods of hearing loss. My ears felt full, and I struggled to hear voices, especially my husband’s low voice. These sensations would last anywhere from three days to three weeks, until last year I lost low-range hearing in my left ear for four months. At work, I had to strain to hear my students. Sitting right next to my husband in the car, I often didn’t know he had spoken to me. And at church, it became hard to praise God with my brothers and sisters because my own singing was all I could hear. The audiologist explained that my ears were producing an internal fluid that impacted my ability to hear and that these episodes would come and go, but get worse with time. My ears are working against me!
Sometimes, we are our own worst enemies. This is especially true when it comes to listening. Our priorities and desires hinder us from hearing others. Sin and self-absorption create an internal fluid that blocks out any sound other than our own voice, and we stop listening for the needs of those around us. It’s easy to lose our focus on what God is trying to tell us. We seek pleasure or rest in things other than God, or we lean into our anger, anxiety, or resentment. These periods of hearing loss can be brief, or we can spend a lifetime ignoring God in favor of our emotions or desires.
Hebrews 12:1 tells us that we are running a race. We have the advantage of a running coach who lives within us—the Spirit of the living God. Are we letting our priorities keep us from hearing Him? Is our sin quelching the Holy Spirit? Daily training is available through the Word of God. Are we able to hear His instructions?
Jesus frequently says to His listeners: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Our relationship with God suffers when we listen only to our own desires. Let’s be Christ-followers who have ears to hear!
We often think of running as an individual sport, but we should not underestimate the importance of knowing our fellow runners. I watched a race in the Olympics this year where one runner accidentally tripped up another participant, and both runners fell and were disqualified. How tragic for those who have trained so hard to get to the race of their dreams! We don’t want to be so self-absorbed that we cause ourselves and others to fall. Put another way, when all we can hear is ourselves, we can’t hear each other. If we are to “run with perseverance”, we will need to encourage and be encouraged by our fellow runners.
As I grow older and experience more and more hearing loss, it takes more effort to listen. I refuse to withdraw inside myself, though. Instead, I will actively seek ways to worship, interact, and connect with others despite the disease I am experiencing. Jesus healed a deaf-mute by touching his ears (Mk 7:31-37), and He can open my ears too – both physical and spiritual. I pray that He will remove the sin and selfishness that keeps me from hearing Him and others as I actively seek to listen.
In what ways can you listen more actively to God this week?