3rd Week in Ordinary Time
Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear. (Mark 4:23)
Pay attention! Maybe that would be a good way to understand Jesus when he tells his disciples, “Take care what you hear” (Mark 4:24). It’s simply in human nature to lose focus from time to time. Even the Twelve needed to be reminded to tune in to what’s going on when Jesus speaks. After all, this isn’t the only time they have failed to process his words properly! At one moment they will misinterpret wildly; at another they hear only what they want to hear; at another they are just too distracted by fears and temptations to grasp the revolutionary, life-giving words he is speaking.
If you ever identify with the first disciples’ struggles, it may be helpful to examine how you are hearing the Lord. Remember that you don’t have to feel like a failure if you aren’t audibly hearing Jesus’ voice every minute of every day! His voice rings out as strong as ever, but it’s on a different frequency than the voices of the people around us. That means it requires a special “receiver” to pick it up and understand it. Once you are tuned in to the right frequency, however, you’ll find that God is far from silent. He’s always got something to say!
The best way to tune in to this spiritual frequency, of course, is through prayer. Like any relationship, spending time together is key. This is why we are always urging our readers to set time aside each day to listen to the Lord.
Even if you are in a period now where your prayer feels sluggish or coldly mechanical, keep at it! You may discover that there is some “static” blocking God’s voice: unrepented sin, fear or anxiety, wounds from an old relationship, or preoccupation with worldly issues. If you stay faithful, God will help clear away the static and break through
Don’t ever get discouraged if you’re having a hard time hearing the Lord. Remember that everyone “has ears to hear” (Mark 4:23). It’s how God designed us. Give him time. Give yourself time, and you’ll find the right frequency!
“Lord, help me to listen closely to you, seeing and hearing you in the various ways you are revealing yourself today.”
Hebrews 10:19-25
Psalm 24:1-6
Daily Marriage Tip for January 29, 2015:
“If one part [of the body] is honored, all the parts share its joy.” (1 Corinthians 12:26) What about your beloved’s physical appearance do you find especially attractive? Share that with him or her.