Worth Remembering
Listen, for I will speak noble things; Proverbs 8:6
Listen – It’s worth remembering that the Hebrew word for “listen” is shama. It has an umbrella much larger than simply absorbing sound waves. Shama also means, “to obey, to consider or regard, to proclaim and to understand.” When Wisdom speaks, we are to do a great deal more than be passive recipients of the truth. We are called to act accordingly. In fact, in the Bible, those who do not act on the basis of Wisdom’s proclamation have not listened at all.
Since listening is so critical, the natural question is “How do I listen?” Oh, did you think that listening only meant receiving some message with your ears? Not a chance. Why do you suppose Jesus said, “Those who have ears, let them hear?” He was talking about a way of listening that results in action. The Bible gives us some pretty clear direction about how to listen, and it all starts with stopping.
If you want to listen to Wisdom, you must first stop listening to yourself. You must cease the constant inner conversation that you have with yourself and your agendas. When Wisdom talks, you must shut up! This is not quite as easy as it sounds. It requires a lot more than closing your mouth. It means closing the chatter of that mental conversation that you carry on moment by moment as you evaluate, anticipate and execute what you think is the next right thing to do. If you are going to listen (hear and obey) to Wisdom, you will have to practice becoming silent. Believe me, it will take serious effort and real practice to stop that noise-maker in your mind. But you won’t hear the noble things of Wisdom without ceasing the striving conversation that constantly demands your attention.
When you come into the presence of the God of the universe, you are expected to be silent. Quite frankly, you don’t belong here. You are not worthy in the least. The fact that you have any audience at all is simply a matter of amazing grace. But here you are. So, be still! Practice turning off your head. Concentrate on only what you hear that does not come from your own issues. You will soon discover that you are closer to God than in any church service where the opening agenda is “meet and greet” time. God reveals Himself – and Wisdom speaks – when we come emptied.
Have a lot on your mind? OK, deliberately put it all on the shelf. As each thought comes up, set it aside. It doesn’t belong here. You are not in a conversation. You are actively engaged in hearing someone else reveal incredible things. Go listen to Aretha Franklin sing, “Secrets He Will Unfold.” You’ll get the idea.
Initiate your own Independence Day. Set yourself free from your agenda. Listen – God is whispering.
