The question, “Is anybody listening?”,  may be interpreted in a couple of ways. Perhaps it implies, “Is anybody listening (TO ME)? It may be a question of desperation, or of frustration, meaning “I don’t think anybody is listening to me!” No so, this time.

This question means precisely, “is ANYBODY listening?” Here’s the irony I see: we live in an information age, when we receive literally hundreds of messages daily, yet generally most of us are poor listeners. With so much information channeled toward us, shouldn’t we information-agers have developed into well-practiced and extraordinary listeners? Instead, most of us seem much more intent on talking, on sharing our information with others. Of course, we expect others to listen to us.

At least, that’s the way it seems to me. What do you think? Are we good listeners? What does it take to be a good listener?

I’m listening . . .

A combination of my mother’s health and going on the NGCSU College Singers U. K. tour kept me very busy over past month.  Funny thing about being busy, it’s easy to lose focus.

The B+ band remained on my wrist, but receded into my mind’s background. Here’s the lesson: when the spiritual life is not in the foreground, it’s much less likely that one will be intentionally obedient. Mind you, I was at no time trying to be intentionally disobedient, or negative, but the negativity came much easier when I was unfocused. The driving “vocabulary” returned– before I realized it one day early last week I questioned the intellectual abilities of at least two drivers. As February ended, I thought we– God and me– had this under control. We DID, as long as I was focused!

OK, March was my “one step back”, but today is Resurrection Sunday, the time of new life. Time to live the Resurrection Life. Time to draw from the Source of new life. Time to refocus on “things that are above, not things that are on earth” (Col. 3:1-3).

What a week to begin again! Thankfully, our relationship with God is not dependent on success , but depends on submission.

How about you? Still focused? Need a new beginning? Then, Happy Easter!