I read a story once about an ad that ran during the Depression Years requesting a Telegraph Helper - someone who could send andreceive Morse Code, the dot and dash code for communicating. A young boy went to the office where the job was being offered. The office was already full of other applicants, each desperately needing a job.
Everyone was watching the door marked 'Private', for behind that door sat the manager who would make the hiring decision. The room was filled with conversation. Suddenly, the young boy who had arrived last, jumped up and walked past the waiting applicants, and into the manager's office. Everyone was stunned into silence!
A few moments later the boy came out and announced that everyone could go home because he had been awarded the job. The crowd erupted in anger! Who was this boy who had jumped ahead of each of them?
The boy explained that while they were all talking, he was listening. The manager had been taping on the door in Morse Code,"Whoever hears this message may come in and have the job." Each of the men had been too busy to hear the sound of the offer!
I met someone years ago who told me that God gave us two earsand only one mouth so we should listen twice as much as we talk. I've learned over the years the wisdom of this advice!
The Bible says in James 1:19
"...Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slowto become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." (NIV)
Perhaps Psalm 46:10 sums it up best:
"Be still, and know that I am God... " (NIV)
Are you busy? Are you frustrated by some problem? Is something occupying your time, thoughts and energy and robbing you of God's peace? There is no problem that is too big for Him to handle. Take your burden to Him. But most of all, he wants each of us to spend time with Him and enjoy His rich fellowship. It is only in spending time with Him that we learn to be more like him.
Dear God, it is so easy for us to become busy with trivial things and not hear Your voice, or see You at work in our lives. Help us to be still, and to spend time at Your feet, listening to what You have to share with us. Help us to become the people that You want us to be. Help us to be more like You every day. Amen.
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