This past week I got an ear infection and even though I am on medication my ear remains plugged on the one side, leaving it pretty useless.
I assume it will return to normal in time but in the mean time it has given me a lot to think about – specifically Matthew 13:13. In this verse, Jesus talks about the Pharisees listening but not hearing.
However, they didn’t have ear infections but rather their ears were full of themselves. They had been so confident they knew what God was up to that they couldn’t hear when God was speaking to them through His Son.
So often in my own life I find myself running ahead of God and yelling over my shoulder, “I know where you are headed God. I’ll meet you there.” And I often end up on my face.
I have discovered this week with my bad ear that to really hear people I have to look at them and focus on them. Otherwise I am bound to miss a key part of the sentence. I think the same is true for God.
I don’t just want to listen to God with one ear. I want to look at Him and focus on Him. When I do, I trust He will lead me where He wants me to go.
Do you struggle to listen to God with both ears? How do you keep from running ahead?