Faith & Insight: Where are your ears?

Bible thought: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Matthew 11:15)

As I write this, my ears are elsewhere. A few months ago our washing machine overflowed and flooded the downstairs while I was upstairs on the computer. The mess was intense. The repairman came right out. A week later, the same thing happened while I was on the same computer.

We now have new carpet, so as I write these thoughts, my ears are on the machine downstairs. So far so good.

Our Bible thought is mentioned no less than six times in the Gospels. Jesus uses similar words to each of the seven churches of Asia in the Revelation. "Hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

An old story we learned in Sunday School teaches us where our ears ought to be in life. When God was trying to speak to young Samuel, his mentor Eli told him to respond, "Speak, for Thy servant is listening," (I Samuel 3).

Our daily prayer in reading His word, in speaking to Him, in dealing with trials, and in worship - private or public - should be the same as young Samuel's: "Speak, Lord. I'm listening."

Where are your ears?

"A wise old owl sat on an oak;

The more he saw the less he spoke;

The less he spoke the more he heard;

Why aren't we like that wise old bird?"

• Bruce Henderson is the minister at Airport Rd. Church of Christ, Carson City.