A Heart that Listens

"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."

Mark 4:23

These words are repeated over and over throughout the gospels and Revelations. It is a reminder that it is not enough to have ears but that it is pertinent that we use them as well. So many times, we hear the Word spoken to us but we do not truly hear it and allow it to take root in our hearts. We have to be ready to hear God's voice and there are those things: hearts that have become hardened, shallow lives or fretful minds that are keeping us from missing the ultimate message.

How long has it been or have you ever let God actually have you? Have you ever given Him the opportunity to have uninterrupted time with you to speak where you were actually listening? Even Jesus knew that it was important to spend time with God.

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed".

Mark 1:35

Here is the obvious question but I will ask it anyway. IF Jesus, the Son of God, the sinless One thought it important to put everything else aside and spend time in prayer with His Father, why is it that we do not find it imperative to do the same? Jesus not only spent time praying but He also spent time in His Father's Word. He found it important to spend time talking with God and studying the Word, why do we not also?

Here is where this gets a bit personal and toes may be stepped on. Many tune out when the suggestion of a quiet time is mentioned. Most of us spend time trying to find time to squeeze God into our busy schedules instead of making Him the priority. Some get frustrated with lack of understanding with what they are reading and others believe that they will gain from a Sunday morning sermon or the reading of some Christian book. The problem with all of this is that it is coming second hand. When you rely on these things, you are experiencing someone else's personal time with God and you have missed your own special encounter with Him. God wants each of us to have our own first-hand experience with Him not a substitute because He longs to be with each of us every day. Our desire should be that He be the highlight of our life every day.

"Father, give me ears that listen and a heart that is receptive to Your Word. May I long to spend time with You daily and that You will always be the highlight of my day."