Heather Phillips, Lay Preacher from Christchurch Ogmore Vale, Bridgend.
As a hearing aid wearer I sometimes forget to put them in when I get up in the morning – ok it happens! But a thought bounced into my head: maybe sometimes I choose, yes deliberately, not to wear them, depending on where I’m going or whom I might be with! – yes, there are certain people I meet whose voices are loud, or they screech or ‘grate’ on my ears and I find I need to pray heard not to fell irritated.
Those thoughts prompted me to ask myself: Do we sometimes treat our relationship with God in a similar way? Do we, maybe occasionally, choose not to hear God speaking to us – either directly or through situations that need our difficult attention in some way? Do we ‘tune out’ deliberately when feeling lazy or guilty of what our conscience may be telling us is an un-Christian thought…?
We can only answer those sorts of questions honestly within ourselves, then decide to be more positive. God never deserts us, nor does He ‘tune out’ from us; He is ever-ready for us to re-connect, to re-tune-in, to ‘switch on’ to His ever-loving presence. When we do that, we can be more responsive, not only to hearing God speak to us but also be more responsive to the needs around us.
There’s a song our Ladies Choir sings: ‘Lean on me… call me…’ and the words remind me that not only do we ourselves need sometimes to ‘lean on’ a friend for help and moral support, but we also need to be sensitive to the needs of others who might find it helpful to lean on us and listen to their anxieties – to be a sensitive ‘Listening Ear’, to ‘share the load that is difficult to carry’.
If we don’t allow ourselves to ‘switch on and tune in’, then we’re not fully ‘tuning in’ or ‘switching on’ to God trying to connect with us.
On my bedroom wall I have a picture of Christ with a lamp, standing at a door and knocking to seek entry – a copy of Holman Hunt’s “Behold, I stand at the door and knock”. It’s a daily inspiration and reminder to me to be alert so I may respond with: ‘Master, speak, your servant hears’.
A reminder that I not only need to put in my physical hearings aids but also ensure I am wearing my spiritual hearing aids so that they can work together in my daily life, so I may be a ‘Listening Ear’ ready to ‘share the load’ when needed, ready to respond to the ‘call’….
PRAYER
Caring God, help me to remember to tune-in to your voice and your presence so I may truly hear you guiding me in all I do and say. Open my ears Lord, so I may follow your wisdom and share your grace and love around me.
When life gets difficult, may I always remember I am not alone – there are always many others who experience difficulties; and I am not alone because you are with me always.
So may my faith be strong to share that love You offer to all and each – by the way I am, by being best that I can be, so that my response may always be ready to be a Listening Ear when you call me to act, to think, and speak for You.
Master, speak, your servant is listening; may I not only listen but also hear and respond.
In Jesus’ name
AMEN
