Thought for the day
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 -- 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.
Verses
Matthew 21:21
Jesus said to them in reply, "Amen, I say to you, if you have faith and do not waver, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' it will be done.
Joel 3:10
Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, 'I am strong.' "
Ephesians 4:29
Do not use harmful words in talking. Use only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Never stop praying.
Romans 10:12
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for all have the same Lord and his riches are available for all who call on him for help.
Prayer
I stand at the crossroads and look; I ask for the ancient paths where the good way is, and by God’s grace I choose to walk in it and accept Your promise that I will find rest for my soul. Lord, as I stand at the crossroads of decision I am pulled in many directions, but then I see the well-worn path marked out by the faithful followers of God throughout the centuries – the faithful ones who remained true to Your ancient law whose hearts did not betray the One True God. With godly determination I earnestly desire to follow in the steps of the Master that leads me to find rest for my soul on earth and secures a heavenly home where my soul no longer grows weary.
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