Having worked in the print media industry for 35 years I learned the most valuable trait that you can have is listening. This business depends on listening to others and what they are saying. It doesn’t matter in which department you are associated with. It could be editorial, business, circulation, or advertising. The art of listening is very important, and I tried to instill this into every employee I was associated with. God gave us two ears and only one mouth is what I would tell them.
How many of us have wished we would have listened more as young children, during our teen years, then as young adults to older and wiser elderly people. Speaking for myself, now that I have reached my golden years, I think about the opportunities I missed because I was always in a hurry to finish what I was doing, or trying to over talk someone, or trying to get somewhere that I classified important. I didn’t realize the significance or the value of letting this time pass by not listening to my mentors or hearing the words of reading something important. Once these words were spoken or opportunities were gone, I now realize I can never retrieve them.
How many of us, during our Bible study time or during our quiet time, really listen to or hear what God is saying to us? How many of us actually read our Bible or have some alone time with God or do we just go through the ritual of saying we do?
Do you understand what we are told in Matthew 4:4; “But He answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” NKJV
All of us, as human beings, need more than physical sustenance (like bread) to truly live. We need the spiritual nourishment that comes from God’s Word. It emphasizes the importance of relying on God’s guidance and wisdom, especially during times of trial. Jesus told us this using Deuteronomy 8:3 as explanation to the devil after He was challenged, by the devil, after His 40 days of fasting in the wilderness.
Do we really listen to God through reading His Word or during our prayer time? God does speak to us and Matthew 11:15 tells us; “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” NKJV
I wished I had paid better attention to the wiser, older people of my past, for now I realize what I missed out on. For the employees I worked with during my newspaper days, I tried to emphasize how important listening is. Getting the facts correct in a story is mandatory. Listening to your customers during a sale will tell you what they want to buy and all you must do is close the sale. God will tell you exactly what you need to hear and not what you want to hear. Pay attention to His Words and listen to His small still voice. Accept Him into your heart and He will direct your speech and your path.
