“My sheep listen to my voice.” John 10:27
There was a 74 year old man from Indiana who paid for a flight in a small plane. He loved the excitement of flying but had no idea what went into flying a plane. Pilots go to school for many hours learning the details of taking off, flying, and landing a plane safely. The day of the old man’s flight turned into a nightmare that he would never forget. Shortly after the pilot taxied and took off from the airfield, they leveled off the plane just as they had always done. But then tragedy struck. The pilot had a sudden heart attack and the old man was helpless in directing the airplane. Panicked, he began screaming into his headset. “Help! Help! I have no idea how to fly this plane. I need help now!” Fortunately, his cry for help was heard by the tower, and they assured him that they would give him instructions on landing the plane. The man listened carefully and followed each direction. Soon he was safe on the ground once again. After his landing, he admitted, “I don’t think I’ve ever listened so carefully to anyone before!” How closely would you follow each instruction? That picture can be compared to our lives and how well we listen to the heavenly tower.
Prayer gives us an opportunity to talk with God. That means that sometimes we talk and sometimes we listen. Young Samuel served as an example of listening to what God had to say to us. One night Samuel was asleep on his cot in the tent of Eli, the priest. Three times the Lord called sleeping Samuel. Each time Samuel thought it was Eli who was calling him. Finally Eli told Samuel to go back to bed and if he hears the Lord call again, he should pray the words, “Speak, Lord, I am listening.” So Samuel went to bed again, and sure enough the voice of God called Samuel once again. Samuel said, “Speak, Lord, I’m listening to whatever it is you have to tell me.” That night God told Samuel about his plans for the people of Israel.
Certainly when we pray we want to share with God everything that is on our minds, and sometimes that may be quite a lot. We should remember that God also wants to impress upon us certain thoughts and feelings. He may not come to us in a voice like Samuel, but he does speak to us through his Word, and through our consciences. When he comes to us, we should be open and ready to listen to him, and then we should be willing to follow his Word. Isaiah tells us about listening to God this way: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21).
Lord Jesus Christ, let my ears be attentive to every word you speak. I know that too often I listen to my own advice and follow my own paths. Teach me to take to heart the words that you have spoken in your word. In your name I pray. Amen.
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