Do not refuse to hear

By Nancy Shuman

The Calling of Matthew by Caravaggio (Wikimedia Commons).

Letter to the Hebrews:  "Do not refuse to hear Him Who speaks."  (12:25)

I am struck by the word "refused" used here.  I mean:  imagine God speaking to me and me not just missing the call - but actually refusing to hear it!

Actually, I can imagine that all too well.

It doesn't take a long memory, on my part, to see myself with head ducked, eyes downcast, pretending I don't know what is being asked of me.  I've never heard a physical "voice" from God, but I have detected the gentle call of One inviting me to live as He asks, to treat others as He wishes, to give Him a moment of prayer.

But gosh, I'm so busy.  Maybe later, just a little later. 

If Jesus were standing right in front of me, would I say "Nice to see you, but you caught me just dashing out the door.  Oh, and I meant to tell you - I had a reason for not doing what you asked the other day... after all, what would people have thought?  And oh... excuse me just a minute, will you?  I think I heard the phone....."

The thing is - Jesus IS standing right in front of me.  Right now.  He is closer than I could possibly imagine. 

How will I respond?


Nancy originally posted this on her blog The Breadbox Letters.