Listening

 In school, my teachers would make the same comment on my reports cards, “Talks too much!". I have learned that it’s hard to listen when you’re talking. Before the mission to Africa, my devotion referred to Stephen Curtis Chapman’s song “Be Still and Know.”  The song ends with “Be still. Be speechless.” When I had an urge to speak, I repeated that line. “Be still and know that I am God,” Psalm 46:10.

 Before school daily, my mother would tell me, “When the teacher speaks, then you stop, look, and listen; then do.”  She gave me that mantra to help me pay attention and listen to the teacher. She wanted me to do well in school.  Likewise, the King David of Israel taught his son Solomon to listen so that he can obey God. (I Kings 2:3)

Solomon listened.  Solomon obeyed God. When God asked him what he wanted, Solomon prayed for wisdom to lead the nation. Today, he is known for his wisdom. His writings in Proverbs are known as truth for an abundant life.

In Africa, the school children we visited sat still and listened as we taught Bible lessons. When all the students and teachers gathered to receive gifts from the United States, the sound of their excited voices roared like a lion. A preacher walked about the students with a switch. “Shut your mouths,” he said sternly. When they were still, we presented equipment for sports play, materials for instruction and bandages for wounds. God gives even greater gifts, when we LISTEN and OBEY!

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. ~ Psalms 25:4-5