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As an ESL teacher to adult learners, I keep my eyes open for short, clearly written articles hopefully with a thought-provoking ending. Oh, and the vocabulary has to be relatively straightforward. Could I want more? I’m not the only one on this search and those special ‘finds’ pop up in many places – textbooks, learner magazines, online programs. Sometimes in Readers Digest or a Chicken Soup book.
One I have used is a pithy little story of two men from different cultures, walking in a bustling downtown area. Voices and traffic noise surround them. “Do you hear the cricket?” the one asks. “A cricket? Impossible”, his friends laughs. But sure enough, as people rush by him, he walks over to a bush, pulls a few branches to the side and there’s the insect. “Wow!” his doubting friend exclaims. “Your hearing is amazing!” “No, not really. Watch.” He throws a few coins on the ground. A multitude of heads turn. “It just depends on what you’re listening for.”
This can start a discussion on which culture or age group would hear the cricket or the tinkling coins. Or if the story is even believable! All good conversation practice.
For me though, this has always been a convicting little story. What stands out to my ears? A student’s critical words or compliments? Recognition from my dean or a graduate assistant? A word of gratitude from the fun neighbors or the elderly lady who often confuses me with someone else? God’s word or a popular preacher’s sermon? Really, God’s word and any other voice?
In my classes I often hear, “teacher, my hearing is very poor.” “Hearing,” I tell them, “usually refers to the physical ability to distinguish sounds – a problem for their physician.” Listening, on the other hand, means paying attention to the sounds they hear and considering their meaning. Merriam-Webster says “to give thoughtful attention.”
What are my coins and crickets? To what do my ears give thoughtful attention? Jesus says His sheep listen to His voice. And He knows them! The Savior of the world is speaking! Am I listening?
What does ‘listening to God’ look like for you?
It’s a phrase thrown around a lot and sounds spiritual but I often wonder ‘what am I really saying?’ I think for me it’s meditating on scripture, being quiet and praying over what I read. Sometimes I might pray with a friend over the verses as well and share the thoughts we have after study and prayer. There’s such a difference between quickly reading a passage and taking a few notes and reading something many times over a period of time. I really enjoyed Janet’s Pope’s workshop on Psalms at the last Thrive Gather. It was very insightful and practical for meditating on Psalms and listening to God.