Lent: Listening

The scripture for today starts with, "Listen to me, my peoples...."

Listening has not always my strongest gift for the last many  years.  Since the beginning of 1990 I have talk too much and I don't listen enough.  I was born an introvert who loved to listen more than talk.  I  grew up loving to read, go fishing with dad, cook, garden (even pulling weeds if not anything else to do in the garden), watch the seeds I planted grow into flowers and vegetables.  I enjoyed life in my own quiet ways until I came to be a doctoral student at San Francisco Seminary (SFTS).

At SFTS the professors told me that I had to talk and participate in class discussions in order to pass my classes.  So, I did learn how to ask questions.  They nick-named me "a question asking machine".  And then I started working in the Church full time where I actually learned to talk.  I talked so much that I couldn't stand it my self sometimes.  I was so frustrated with how much I talked and did not know what to do about it.  

I did remember that Listening Quietly was a very important part of who I am but I did not know how to get back to that.

God does work in mysterious ways.  As I followed my husband Will to his call as the Executive Director of Medical Benevolence Foundation in Houston TX, I took a year long interim call.  It ended 18 months ago.  My listening quiet self returned to me immediately.  The first 12 months of that time I was totally quiet.  I was at peace, in peace just enjoying every moment of each day where I did need to talk to any one.  I felt like an empty pitcher of orange juice being refilled drop by drop each day.  I prayed, meditated, read scriptures and wrote a cook book.  Of course, I cooked each recipe in order to put it in the cook book.  Needless to say Will was very supportive.  He loved his part of the participation - eating!

The last six months or so was a bit different.  I seemed to have learn to talk again.  But not like I did before.  I  have always loved being with people. That part of who I am returned.  I love being with people and don't feel the need to talk more than necessary.  I now listen and talk both.  I hope to be able to maintain this renewed self.  God will help me.

Prophet Isaiah is telling us in this day's message, to "LISTEN to GOD" because that's the only way we are going to be able to hear God saying that his justice is a light for us and his deliverance comes to us swiftly, that we are not to be afraid, that we need to keep his teachings in our hearts.  God promised to those who listen to Him saying   "...but my salvation will be forever, and my deliverance will never be ended." 

Please do read the Isaiah passage which needs no interpretation.  

Mysterious and wonderful God, thank you for being our God.  Thank you for your promise to us that your salvation for us is forever.  We thank you for your teaching each day.  Help us to learn how to listen to your voice, nothing but only your voice.  In Jesus the Christ we pray. Amen.

Isaiah 51:4-8

⁴ Listen to me, my people,

   and give heed to me, my nation;

for a teaching will go out from me,

   and my justice for a light to the peoples. 

⁵ I will bring near my deliverance swiftly,

   my salvation has gone out

   and my arms will rule the peoples;

the coastlands wait for me,

   and for my arm they hope. 

⁶ Lift up your eyes to the heavens,

   and look at the earth beneath;

for the heavens will vanish like smoke,

   the earth will wear out like a garment,

   and those who live on it will die like gnats;

but my salvation will be for ever,

   and my deliverance will never be ended. 

⁷ Listen to me, you who know righteousness,

   you people who have my teaching in your hearts;

do not fear the reproach of others,

   and do not be dismayed when they revile you. 

⁸ For the moth will eat them up like a garment,

   and the worm will eat them like wool;

but my deliverancell generations. 

Also: Psalm 121, Luke 7:1-10