This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

Matthew 13:13

For Meditation

How so true!

For example, we pretend to listen to our spouses when our minds are seriously engaged on a trip to a faraway country. It is not because we do not hear what is said. It is just because we are too preoccupied with the details of our trip to listen with our hearts. We may even participate in the discussion, but not particularly interested. We may hear but not listen.

Unfortunately, we play the same game with God. We cannot listen to God in a Sunday worship service when our phones are on silence, but our minds are keenly anticipating a call from our jobs, or for the result of a business deal. We cannot hear His still small voice when our preoccupation is the day’s big thing. We may be there physically, but far away spiritually.

Every one of us will deny the suggestion that we do not give God our full attention because we do not want to know Him that intimately. So, let’s say we do and examine some of our problems with listening to God.

Often, it is the fear of what God will tell us. And let’s be honest about this for once. Naturally, we hate dissenting voices to our determined ways. So, we have a problem with God’s word that always confronts our selfish ideas and opinions. We love what we have so much that we do not want to give it up for anything. So, why pay attention? Just show up and be delivered from a guilty conscience.

 With hearts that are so far away from God, why should He reveal His secrets to us? Nobody invests in people who do not find value in them, no matter how respectful they may be. For, our heart always gravitates toward our treasure trough. Why then should God invest in a person whose heart is far from Him? (cf. 2 Chron. 16:9).

Jesus made this point to the disciples when they wanted to know why He spoke to the people in parables (Matt. 13:10). He has opened the kingdom of God to those who are genuinely interested. But to those who are not, the prophecy of Isaiah has been fulfilled (Isa. 6:9). For, their hearts are too calloused to perceive spiritual things (Matt 13:15).

O, how desirous and longing is our Father in heaven for us to turn to Him with our hearts for understanding and knowledge to grace our lives – the only way to know Him intimately.

Shalom