Listen and Live

 Have you ever played the game "Telephone?" If you've never played it before (or need a reminder), it's a fun game that all ages can play! In the game, you stand in a line and someone at the beginning of the line is told a message. That person then tells the next person in line the message. That person passes it on to the next person and so forth. When it gets to the very end, that person shares the message aloud with everyone. Now, the message can't be repeated, so you have to listen carefully the first time it's said. Is the message at the end going to be the original? Usually not!! Sometimes, it's way off from the original message, while sometimes it's very close. I know it's just a game, but all of us at some point have not listened as closely as we should have. We could have been distracted or had our mind on something or thinking about our response in a conversation, so we didn't listen like we should have. When we listen carefully, we avoid misunderstandings and can get increased knowledge and a different perspective 😊. Remember that new view I talked about at the beginning of the year 😉?! We'll miss it if we're not listening. The Bible speaks about listening and paying attention to instruction (Proverbs 4:1, 5:1, James 1:19). In fact, Hebrews 2:1 says, "We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." The subheading in my Bible over that Scripture passage says, "Warning to Pay Attention." It's important we listen to what's going on in our lives and the world, in conversation, and in God's Word, so we can act accordingly. We need to listen, so we don't drift away from the truth of God's Word. We need to listen, so we can use wisdom and know what steps to take next. We need to listen, so we know how to respond in our actions, attitudes, and words. We need to listen, so we know how to live. Proverbs 8:34-35 talks about listening to wisdom and that those who find it find life 💗. When we listen to God's Word and then obey what His Word says, then we can live like He wants us to. Proverbs 7:1 says, "Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teaching as the apple of your eye." When we listen carefully, we can live authentically. We can live grateful. We can live with a new perspective. We can live on the right path 😊. Isaiah 55:6 sums it up perfectly: "Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live." Let's pay close attention to what's going on around us in our lives, in our bodies, in our relationships, in our conversations and communities. It's only then that we can live with purpose and wisdom. Listen and live! God bless you all 💗!!