April 20 - Tuned in?

"You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me" - John 5:39.

The garden was teeming with excited children, each holding either a bag or a small basket in their hands, jostling each other for what they felt was the best position for a quick start when "GO" was shouted.  It was Easter Sunday and the easter egg hunt was about to begin.  Jodie had got up at the crack of dawn to hide easter eggs around the garden - in the shrubs, under the plants, in tubs, and up in the tree house.  A great time was had by all the children taking part, but what Jodie hadn't considered was the devastation left behind when it was all over.  Jodie's parents wisely watched the melee from inside the house - they knew something she didn't!

Remember the Tsunami that hit Indonesia and caused such a tragic loss of life and homes?  What did the animals know that the Tsunami victims didn't? One of the side stories that has emerged after the devastating tsunami hit Indonesia is that almost no animals died. Both wild and domestic beasts seemed to sense the impending danger and ran to safety or high ground.

Dogs would not take their beloved daily run on the beach; elephants screamed and ran upward; bats frantically flew away before the wave hit; flamingoes left their low breeding areas; even zoo animals sheltered themselves in their enclosures and refused to come out.

According to a National Geographic article on their website; "Wildlife experts believe animals' more acute hearing and other senses might enable them to hear or feel the Earth's vibration, tipping them off to approaching disaster long before humans realise what's going on."

Suppose we had hearing for spiritual matters as acute as those animals did in the natural before the tsunami hit? Jesus commented often when he would finish telling a parable; "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Matthew 11:15) He was warning that not everyone has acute hearing or a desire to truly understand his words. This is every bit as true today.

Sometimes we use "selective hearing" for God's Word or for his still small voice in our heart. Like the child who turns a deaf ear to "Time for bed" we often hear only what we want to or what comforts instead of confronts us. Regretfully, I've made this mistake in my own life. Afterward, boy am I sorry I didn't listen.

If there is a spiritual tsunami headed my way I'd like to make it to the high ground before it hits, wouldn't you? Let's be ones who have ears to hear and let's listen like our life depended on it!
(Acknowledgements Barbara Landais)

"Lead Me To That Rock" - sung by Stephen Hill is the music choice.  Click on the picture to listen.