The other day I was reminded of something many of us did when we were young, and for some even as adults. You know what I’m talking about, when we would cover up our ears when someone was talking because we didn’t want to hear what they were saying. Often times this behavior would be accompanied with the sound of “la, la, la, la ….” or some other gibberish coming out of our mouths. Why did we do that? We did it because we didn’t want to hear what they were trying to say, either because we simply didn’t care what they had to say, or we were afraid of what we thought they were trying to say and didn’t want to be held accountable for it. Once we’ve heard something we are then accountable to respond accordingly, so if we can avoid hearing it then we’re off the hook. Or, are we?
Just because I choose to not hear someone tell me a car is racing down the street heading my way doesn’t make it suddenly disappear or bring the car to a stop. If I decide I’m not going to hear what the person is trying to tell me then the odds are pretty high that I’m going to get hit by the car. So, why is it that we try so hard not to hear what others are trying to say to us, especially when the intent is for our benefit and best interests? Could it be that pride is possibly the main reason for this, thinking that no one knows better than we do as to what is best for us?
I mentioned that I was reminded recently about this kind of behavior. The context was in regards to our relationship with Christ. It was said that we are only accountable for what God speaks and deals with us about, and that just reading about something in God’s word isn’t enough to hold us accountable for it. I wonder, though, how often God does try to speak to us about something but we’ve in essence covered our ears so we can’t hear him, and if that’s not enough we begin making all kinds of “noise” to make it clear we don’t want to hear him? Many times Jesus would state, “he that has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit (of God) says …”. As I’m writing this a thought comes to my mind. Ears on a dead body can’t hear, so if ears can hear that would mean one is alive? How can one hear what the Spirit of God is saying unless they are first alive in Christ? So, when Jesus makes the above statement, I can’t help but wonder if He’s referring to those who have entered into a relationship with Him. If that is the case, then He’s indicating that not everyone who has ears to hear will hear what He’s saying to them.
Why is it that we may not be hearing what He’s trying to say to us? Is it because we don’t care what He’s saying, thinking He doesn’t know what is best for us? Or, could it be that we are just afraid of what He may be saying knowing that if we hear it we are then accountable to it? And the “noise”, well that could be just about anything from boisterous behavior to a busy lifestyle, or even the projection of a spiritual mask that we want others to see. Either way, just as the car mentioned above won’t stop simply because we didn’t want to hear what was being said to us, even so we will still be accountable for what God is trying to tell us even though we figuratively cover our ears with our hands. Are you covering your ears to block what God may be trying to say to you? Do you think He’s asking or requiring something from you that you don’t want to give up or change, and if you don’t hear it He won’t hold you accountable for it? Are you keeping yourself preoccupied with other various activities to keep your mind off of it?
This is not the time to be plugging our ears to what the Spirit of God is trying to say to us. The return of Christ for His bride is believed by many, including myself, to be imminent, and if that is true then you don’t want to be caught off guard and unprepared with your “ears” covered up. If you’ve been busy covering or plugging up your ears, now is the time to uncover them and hear what God is trying to tell you. Does that mean you’ll hear everything He’s trying to tell you, not necessarily, but at least your heart will be telling Him that you’re open to His direction and correction which will help you become more like Jesus, and more importantly prepare you for His soon return. So, set some time aside and allow Him to speak freely to you about any and everything He desires to, allowing Him access and say over every area of your life.
John Johansson
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Right on, as always !