A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near
Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets
were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing
around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost
deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."
His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't possibly hear a cricket
in all of this noise!"
"No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."
"That's crazy," said the friend. The Native American listened carefully for a
moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some
shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure
enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.
"That's incredible," said his friend. "You must have super- human ears!"
"No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours. It all
depends on what you're listening for." "But that can't be!" Said the friend. "I
could never hear a cricket in this noise."
"Yes, it's true," came the reply. "It depends on what is really important to
you. Here, let me show you."
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them
on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in
their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if
the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.
"See what I mean?" Asked the Native American. "It all depends on what's
important to you."
What's important to you? What do you listen for? Some people say that there is
no God, and that He never speaks to us anymore. But perhaps they can't see or
hear Him because they aren't listening for Him. They are living for themselves,
not for God.
If you are in tune with God, you will be able to notice Him at work in your life
and in the world. And you'll be able to hear Him when He Speaks.
Jesus, said, "For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of
hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with
their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and
should be converted, and I should Heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they
see: and your ears, for they hear" (Matthew 13:15-16).
Bill Dorman Chaplain777@hotmail.com
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