Thursday Thoughts - What Do You Hear?

     A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking 
near Times Square in Manhattan.  It was during the noon lunch hour and the 
streets were filled with people.  Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were 
squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were 
almost deafening.  Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."
 
     His friend said, "What?  You must be crazy.  You couldn't possibly hear a 
cricket in all of this noise!"
 
     "No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."
 
     "That's crazy," said the friend.
 
     The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across 
the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing.  He looked 
into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small 
cricket.  His friend was utterly amazed.
 
     "That's incredible," said his friend.  "You must have super-human ears!"
 
     "No," said the Native American.  "My ears are no different from yours.   It 
all depends on what you're listening for."
 
     "But that can't be!" said the friend.  "I could never hear a cricket in 
this noise."
 
     "Yes, it's true," came the reply.  "It depends on what is really important 
to you.  Here, let me show you."
 
     He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped 
them on the sidewalk.  And then, with the noise of the crowded street still 
blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look 
to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.
 
     "See what I mean?" asked the Native American.  "It all depends on what's 
important to you."
 
     What's important to you?  What do you listen for?  Are there times that you 
fail to listen to God or see what God is doing in your life because you are 
focused on other things that are more important to you?
 
     Jesus said, "For the hearts of this people have grown dull.  Their ears are 
hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with 
their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their 
hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.  But blessed are your eyes for they 
see, and your ears for they hear." (Matt. 13:15-16)
 
     Father, we pray at the beginning of this new year -- amidst all the 
distractions of the world all around us, may our ears always be open to your 
voice, and our eyes open to your glory.  In Jesus' name, amen.
 
Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ 
Fayetteville, North Carolina