Hearing vs Listening

On the way to work this morning, I heard a song on the radio, it’s not a very up lifting song, and in fact it’s down right depressing. And in worldly fashion, it’s one of those songs that they play over & over & over until you find yourself singing to it. Being a new song that I’ve heard only about 3 times, I was listening closely to hear the words, again, it’s a very depressing song, but 1 line I caught was “…You made me compliment myself when it was way too hard to take…” That got me thinking of my lovely wife. Now your thinking “....Where is he going with this....?” Hang w/ me because it was an illumination to me and my life.

Last night I was talking to our Pastors wife, who is in charge of worship in our church. I was talking w/ her about joining the orchestra and get back into playing (Yes, Amos). We were talking for about 10 minutes & I was explaining to her how long it’s been since I’ve played (Alto Sax by the way) and that I can read music, but I should be able to play by chord charts the way the church does. I wasn’t down playing my abilities; I thought I was just being honest, in my way of thinking. Just about then my wife comes storming in the room and says “Stop that!! You need to sell yourself!!” It kind of threw me off a little. Now she has always said this to me, not in away that is deceptive by any means, but in a way that is positive and encouraging. You see, my way of thinking is that I need to be honest w/ people about everything. Sometimes I have the tendency to downplay my abilities. I don’t like to brag on my self & I feel uncomfortable doing that. However I know the word says that “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13)

Now back to song, in this “thought-rabbit trail”, I heard my fathers voice say “I am proud of you and I don’t like it when you down play the gifts that I have blessed you with.” It was as clear as day that it was His voice. I was just thinking along and clearly and lovingly He said this. Now in true fatherly fashion I was quickly convicted and at that moment, I decided to change my way of thinking. I was reminded again that I am the righteousness of Christ and that the Lord has created me for such a time as this to shine for His glory. We all have been given talents and gifts to use. We are to use them for gain, gain for ourselves of gain for the Kingdom of God. Just a worldly father enjoys and receives pleasure from his children doing good and taking advantage of his blessings and place in the family; God enjoys and receives glory by use using what He gave to us.