Daily Devotional for July 8, 2021

Every Sunday, out of the hundreds of people I preach to, I can only be sure one person is listening.  Her name is Lizzy.  She’s thirteen years old and she is awesome.

At the end of the worship service, as I greet people when they walk out the sanctuary doors, Lizzy and her family walk by.   Lizzy always hands me what kept her busy during my sermon. 

Every Sunday, Lizzy draws my entire sermon on paper.  I cannot begin to imagine the intense concentration and effort it must take to draw such beautiful pictures while listening intently to the sermon. But she does it, Sunday after Sunday, after Sunday.  Lizzy is truly listening.

Tuesday night, during vacation bible school, I explained to Lizzy’s grandmother, Lucia, how much I appreciated Lizzy’s drawings and how I knew she was truly listening.

Lucia was very proud of Lizzy and said, “Other members of the family also listen to your sermon.”  I said, “Name one.”  Lucia said, “I do.”  So, me, being me, said, “Tell me about last Sunday’s sermon.” 

Lucia looked like a deer caught in the headlights.  She said, “Remind me what it was about.”

I rest my case. 

This got me thinking.

In actively listening to hear God speak to the circumstance of your life, would you rank yourself on the Lizzy or Lucia end of the spectrum? 

If you, like me, find yourself on the Lucia side of things, it’s time to make a change. 

Commit to truly listen.  Commit to concentrate to truly hear.  Commit to be a Lizzy.

As a young boy, when Samuel wants to hear God, he says a beautiful prayer, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”  (1 Samuel 3:10)

The way we hear God speak is by actively listening.  It’s not always easy, but it’s worth every second.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, please let me hear you speak.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Now a message from God to Lucia: “Forgive Tom, he knoweth not what he sayeth.  Also, be proud of your granddaughter.  She is a wonderful person.”

Listen.  God is speaking.  Are you listening?

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins