Use Both Ears

Monday, October 30

Use Both Ears

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26

I recently came across a quote that caught my attention: “God gave us mouths that close and ears that don’t… that should tell us something” by Eugene O’Neill. It seems to convey that, at times, listening can be a wiser choice than speaking. So, what if I dedicated more of my time to actively listening to the voice of God instead of being consumed by the constant outpouring of opinions, thoughts, and noise around me?

As a parent I’ve developed the habit of listening with “one ear”. I perfected it through years of parenting and multitasking with children. That was a lot of talking, demands, arguments and needs that all wanted to be heard at the same time. The danger is that I often forget to turn both ears on when it comes to reading the Word of God.

Jesus told his disciples that the gift of the Holy Spirit would come when He was no longer on earth. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 NKJV.

Once the Bible was in written form and dispersed, it became God’s way of communicating with us. His written word and the guidance and conviction of the Holy Spirit are how we hear Him today.

True listening is to pay attention to; and to hear with thoughtful attention. Synonyms for “listen” are to tune-in, concentrate, and be all ears. What a wonderful reminder!

If we want to be listening to God, we need to give Him our full, thoughtful and undivided attention.