A Native American and his friend were walking through the busy streets of Times Square in central New York. Cars were honking, sirens were going off, voices echoed, and the city sounds were practically deafening.
Suddenly the Native American said to his friend “I hear a cricket.” Obviously his friend thought he was crazy, “What? You couldn’t possibly hear a cricket in all this noise.” The Native American replied “No, I’m sure of it. I hear a cricket.” But his friend still did not believe him, “Thats crazy.” He said.
The Native American listened carefully for a moment and then walked across the street to a big cement planter filled with shrubs. He looked under a branch and sure enough he found a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed. “Thats incredible,” his friend said “You must have superhuman ears!” “No,” the Native American said “My ears are no different from yours it all depends what you’re listening for.” His friend replied, “But that can’t be! I could never hear a cricket in this noise.” “Yes that’s true,” Came the reply. “It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you.”
The Native American pulled some change out of his pocket and discreetly dropped it on the sidewalk. Then, with the busy sounds of the city still blaring, they noticed that every head within twenty feet turned to look and see if the change that had fallen was theirs. “See what I mean.” Said The Native American. It all depends on what’s important to you.”
I want to ask you a favor… think on what you just read for a moment. What are we allowing ourselves to listen to? Is it really important, or are we just listening to the hustle and bustle of the natural/worldly realm. Are we returning and tuning into the supernatural transcendence of God, to where that is what becomes our instinct and our constant way of listening, or are we giving into what we want to hear.
“It all depends on what’s important to you”
Revelation 3:20 says “Behold, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If your heart is open to hear My voice and you open the door within, I will come in to you and feast with you, and you will feast with me.”
During Jesus’ time the bridegroom and his father would go to the door of the bride-to-be carrying the betrothal cup of wine and the bride-price. Standing outside, they would knock. If she fully opened the door, she was saying yes. “Yes I will be your bride.” Jesus and His Father in the same way are knocking on the doors of our hearts, inviting us to be the bride of Christ. (TPT) But get this, the verse does not say “if you halfway listen.” NO. It is telling us to open our Hearts to God! To incline our heart to Him and fully listen to His words.
My pastor taught us in a sermon once that when you incline your heart to God your ear is also inclined to Him. This is why we cannot just “halfway” listen, God knows our hearts and He knows what we allow to be the loudest voice in our life. He knows which way our heart leans which means he knows where our ears truly lay. But even when we choose the hustle and bustle He is still there, faithful and just, whispering our names.
Also I would like to add that I’m hoping you didn’t think this was a one time deal, because it wasn’t. Every single day we have the most important decision to make, am I going to incline my heart and ears to Him today? Or am I just going to “go with the flow” of the world. Let me tell you something brutally honest, as Christians we are not here to just “settle” we are here to EVERYDAY overcome the flesh and chase after God. Always seeking, always listening, and always calling out to Him.
We can never know enough about God, He is infinite (Revelation 1:8, Psalm 147:5). The Bible says that nothing can contain God (1 Kings 8:27), so when you think that you have “learned enough” keep digging because trust me, there is so much more. I’m not saying it will always be easy, but oh it will be so worth it because one day you’ll be able to walk up to God face to face and thank Him for His whisper.
So, what are you listening for?
By Ainsley Wilson
