Listen

Do you ever think if someone had listened to you in the first place, circumstances wouldn't have gotten so bad or worse or more complicated?

Sure, you have and I certainly thought so this morning.  If only _______ had listened yesterday perhaps it would have been easier this morning.  Hey! Remember last week we prayed at prayer group to shake up our daily routine?  Make us question the comfortable? Thank you again, LORD.

Rocking the baby, God spoke to me about casting stones on the topic of listening.  First, He reminded me about the men gathered with stones in their hands ready to throw them at the woman caught in adultery.  Just the woman, who knows where the man was.  Jesus invited them to throw their stone if they were without sin.  Hmmm.

Have I ever not listened?  Procrastinated? Made something worse because I didn't act on what I heard?

Second, He reminded me of the Shema, announced morning and evening to declare devotion to the One, True, Only God.  Through study with other folks, the word Shema is becoming deeper and richer, beginning with the meaning of not only listening but obeying.  In order to obey I must hear deeper, really listen.  The word implies the action of obedience.  So, am I listening or only hearing His voice?

Thank you, again, Sovereign LORD, for the reminder that judgement is not mine, it is already done and we are all judged incomplete without you, we all sin (disobey), we all want OUR way and it is an action that turns us 180 degrees around to LISTEN and OBEY you.

As my Rabbi Jesus commands, so I yearn to obey
HEAR, O Israel, the LORD is God, the LORD alone.  Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart and ALL your soul and ALL your might and LOVE your neighbor as yourself.