Imagine a game of tug-o-war. Without both teams the rope would simply fall to the ground and there would be no game or fun.
Now imagine on one side of the rope is "listening" and on the other side is "doing." There is a tension between the two, but they are both needed.
We can't truly listen without it changing us in some way – our ideas, our knowledge, our way of living. We can't truly do anything without first listening – to our thoughts, to God's call, or to the voices of others.
We need both listening and doing.
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42
Sometimes we do too much. Life is busy. Sometimes we are so busy doing things that we forget to listen. We believe we are doing the right things, and maybe we are. We get involved with church, school, family, and mission work, but perhaps it’s best to stop and listen sometimes.
How will we know the right things to do if we don’t listen? If we never stop to hear the Lord’s voice, how can be sure of what God is calling us to do?
Perhaps we need someone to tell us to stop every once in a while so we can sit and listen.
Andrew Noe
God, help me to sit and listen today. I want to take the time to truly listen to you. Amen.
Today is a day of tug-o-war,
Listening and doing pulling at you.
Sometimes listening is more important;
In other moments we are called to action.
In both, God is present.
Pray for God's guidance to know when
You should do and when you should listen.