He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Rev. 3:6, 13, 22)

PEOPLE WHO LISTEN

I HAVE A LISTENING PROBLEM. I can listen to instructions, be told to do something, or hold a normal conversation, but I easily forget what I was told to do or what the subject was. It’s not that I’m disinterested or inattentive; I just have an overactive mind that wanders elsewhere. For this reason I do two things: (1) I usually carry a pen and take notes whenever possible; and (2) I try to watch people’s lips when they are talking. Personally, I have found this is the best way for me to focus on the conversation, listen, and retain information.

Your way of listening may be much simpler than mine, but we each have our own way of listening and retaining the information we receive.

The challenge we see with the churches addressed in Revelation 2 and 3 is not whether they just allowed the sound of Jesus’ words to vibrate their eardrums, but whether they would really listen to the words and heed them. God doesn’t want us to just listen to the words of Scripture. He wants us to hear, understand, let His words resonate in our minds and hearts, and then apply them to our lives. He seeks people who will listen to what He has to say to them.

Ask God to help you listen to what He wants you to hear.

Traver Paul Butcher is passionate about other cultures, travel, the outdoors, music, art, writing, leadership development, and introducing people to a man named Jesus.