DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

Scripture for the day: Isaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.

Thought for the day: I want the Lord to shout at me with a loud, thunderous voice. I want him to shake heaven and earth so that he has my full attention. I need for him to create signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth so I know it's him who is speaking and so I'll know beyond a doubt what I'm supposed to be about. O.K. Lord, I'm waiting ........ I'm still waiting. I'm looking out the window Lord; I don't see lightning cascading out of the Eastern sky. I don't see those great signs and wonders. Where's the thunderous voice? Now that I look a little closer, all I see out there is the sun coming up over the horizon, the trees moving from a bit of a breeze coming out of the North, and barely a cloud in the sky. What kind of a sign is that, Lord? What was that? Listen carefully? Well, O.K. but you know I'm still looking for the message written in fire across the sky.

A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."

His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!"

"No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."

"That's crazy," said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.

"That's incredible," said his friend. "You must have super-human ears!"

"No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you're listening for."

"But that can't be!" said the friend. "I could never hear a cricket in this noise."

"Yes, it's true," came the reply. "It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you." He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.

"See what I mean?" asked the Native American. "It all depends on what's important to you."

What are you listening for? More importantly I think - what do you hear as you go through the noisy, hectic, often chaotic day that is yours? In the midst of a thousand voices, ten thousand noises, and countless distractions, do you hear Him? He's speaking to you, this Spirit of God who inhabits every believer. Do you hear him? He's not shouting. He's not trying to speak louder than the other voices. He's just there in the background, wanting to provide the direction you need to get through the day. Can you hear him?

Now go take on your world. - Bill