Mark 4:24 (NLT) Then he added, "Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given--and you will receive even more.
My sermon title Sunday was, “The Bus Stops for Everyone.” As usual in the Jazz service, our director of music came up with popular songs that played on the theme. After the service our bass player asked me if I heard the wheels. I shook my head and he sang “The wheels on the bus go round and round.” I laughed to myself. I had wondered why they were playing “This is the way we wash our clothes!” Obviously we had two different songs with the same or a similar tune. Many hymns share the same hymn tune. I guess when we hear one of those played our life experiences would lead us to recall one song or the other. Our scripture says, “Pay close attention to what you hear.” That’s good advice. Two people can hear the same words and yet “hear” different messages. We all “hear” through the veil of our predispositions. Our world views affect how we interpret things and how we react. That’s not a bad thing in itself, but it is something of which we should be aware. It explains why we can overact to seemingly innocent statements or not hear important messages someone is trying to share with us. Pay close attention to what you hear.
Father God, help us to really hear and understand you and those around us. Help us to pay closer attention and to know how our attitudes might affect what we hear. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
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