It is interesting how a sound can be perceived differently by various individuals. (i.e. John 12:27-30) For some it may be noise while for others it is a learning experience. How aware we are to what is going on around us can have a dynamic effect upon whether or not or how we respond.
Do we sometimes find ourselves getting lost amidst all the noise of this world? In the midst of all that noise could there be a MESSAGE we are missing? Have we heard so many words that that’s all they have become to us — just more words? Has the continual clatter of ideas dulled our senses to keep us from accepting the true MESSAGE being heralded amidst the noise?
I came across the following story in a church bulletin.
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“Back when the telegraph was the fastest means of long-distance communication, there was a story, about a young man who applied for a job as a Morse code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he arrived in a large, noisy office. In the background a telegraph clacked away. A sign on the receptionist’s counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the inner office.
“The young man completed his form and sat down with seven other waiting applicants. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in. Naturally the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. Why had this man been so bold? They muttered among themselves that they hadn’t heard any summons yet. They took more than a little satisfaction in assuming the young man would be reprimanded for his presumption and thus disqualified for the job. Within a few minutes the young man came out escorted by an interviewer, who announced to the other applicants, “Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming, but the job has been filled by this young man.” The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and then one spoke up, “Wait a minute — I don’t understand. He was the last one to come in, and we never even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That’s not fair.”
The employer responded, “All the time you’ve been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message in Morse code: ‘If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.’ HE RESPONDED, so the job is his.”
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Jesus said,
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15 ESV)
After Jesus told the parable of the sower he made the statement again:
“He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:9 ESV)
Jesus said it again in Matthew 13:43.
The young man in the story above was blessed because he heard and understood. It will be the same for us.
Jesus encouraged the disciples:
“But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.” (Matthew 13:16 ESV)
May we keep our ears open. Don’t let the world’s clatter drown out the message God is holding out for us. We will be blessed to hear and respond appropriately.
Have a great day LISTENING FOR GOD’S MESSAGE!
Carl
