“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.“
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’m in awe of people who listen well. There are particular people in my life, and I sincerely thank God for introducing me to them, who approach conversations with their ears wide open. I’m grateful because I know I’m heard without judgment or an attempt to fix, but I’m even more appreciative of the way I am challenged to become a better listener.

And so, I’ve been asking God to teach me. I want His empowerment and correction as I practice listening to the person in front of me. I want God’s way of listening to infuse me from the inside out because I don’t think listening undistracted comes naturally. At least not to me.

If I pick up the Bible and read just about any book contained therein, I’m likely to read at least one admonition to listen well. Jesus often said these words to His followers, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” Additionally, the Shema prayer of Moses found in Deuteronomy begins with “Hear O Israel…” and literally means hear and obey at the same time. Here’s a bit of teaching from Tim Mackie, of The Bible Project, to add validity to my thoughts. He’s much more knowledgeable of the Hebrew language than I.

What’s the Meaning of the Jewish Shema Prayer in the Bible?

Learning to Listen to and Love God

The opening line, “Hear, O Israel,” does not simply mean to let sound waves enter your ears. Here, the word shema means to allow the words to sink in, provide understanding, and generate a response—it’s about action. In Hebrew, hearing and doing are the same thing.

Tim Mackie, The Bible Project

As my dear man and I hiked on Christmas Day through the Tahquitz Canyon, looking for the surprise of a waterfall in the desert, my mind kept reaching for the words of Isaiah in chapter 55. I could remember the words about rain and snow coming down from heaven, and that being a metaphor for the way God sends His word out to produce fruit and accomplish all His purposes.

But it was not until I could get back to an internet connection that I was able to read the fullness of Isaiah 55 on my Bible app. And there it was…

“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life…”

Thinking back to our hike I remember the lesson of being a good listener. The clerk who sold us our tickets mentioned to us that water is fully falling into the canyon this year, and what a treat it is for us to get to experience it after a long dry period.

It’s true, our state has been in a drought for quite a number of years, and yet suddenly God has seen fit to bless us with rain and snow coming down from heaven in the past year. The waterfall in the canyon is once again flowing and we had the opportunity to witness, in person, God’s blessing of life through water.

The terrain for this hike was a bit more rugged than anticipated. We’re not as agile as we used to be. We crossed the stream and stopped several times to enjoy the tranquil sounds and take pictures and video clip testimonials of the gurgling water running and spilling downstream. It was, to us, a miraculous gift of God’s mercy toward His creation.

But I asked often, “Do you want to turn back?”Each time his response was a resounding, “No, I want to see the waterfall.” As I reflect, I think that if we had not heard the information regarding the waterfall, we most likely would have turned back. We would have certainly relished the pictures and memories of all the running water and fall-looking trees in golden shades, but would have remained ignorant of the prize.

”“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.“
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I want to learn to be a better listener because I don’t want to be ignorant and miss the prize of life God wants to share with me. As I am engaged with His word, God is speaking to me by way of the Holy Spirit. And as I am in conversation with someone, the Lord wants to participate in my listening.

God knows each person in intimate detail, and only God knows for what reason He allowed our interaction. I want my ears to be wide open.

And these pondering thoughts walk me full circle back to the Shema, and the lesson that listening is an activity, which includes active loving and doing. The Shema teaches us that we will love the One true God with all our hearts, mind, soul and strength. When we approach God in His word with our ears wide open (Isaiah 55), we are changed by His love for us and love for Him is born in us by His Spirit. Our response to His great love is obedience.

Jesus added that His great love for us will spark a desire to love our neighbor. And Isaiah reminds us that God will send out His word and His word will be fruitful. God’s word will accomplish all God wants and will go wherever God wants to send His word.

The wisdom I’m gleaning this morning is that I want ears wide open, and a desire to actively listen to God and my neighbor. Suddenly, I recognize what might be obvious, God desires to be in every conversation. He wants to have the final say. And since His way produces life, I want to follow more intentionally.

Would you like to pray with me?

Lord Jesus, you know my heart & my desire. You know my weaknesses and tendencies. Thank you for the good listening examples you’ve placed in my life.

Please help me to be mindful of your presence in every conversation. Make me aware of my ears and how good it is to listen. Remind me to approach you with ears wide open, and help me to love my neighbor by being an intentional and active listener.

It’s in your name, Jesus, I exalt, worship and bow. Amen.

Live Love Brightly,

Lisa