Learning to Hear

The word of God is living and active, more powerful than any two-edged sword, able to discern the thoughts of the heart and to divide soul from spirit....

In the beginning, the Word of God lept forth from the mouth of God, creating the universe from the stars to the sub-atomic particles.  That same word, 2000 years ago, lept forth from the mouth of Jesus to heal the sick and to call the poor and hungry who were awaiting redemption from oppression.  All who heard the word were set free, just as much as the children of Israel were freed from the oppression of Egypt.

Is that eternal Word today any less creative, any less active in creating order and setting people free?  In the time of Jesus, some said, "It only thundered" when God spoke from heaven.  Others clearly heard a spoken word.  Mary heard the voice of God and carried within herself His only Word.  Elizabeth heard the silent Word within Mary, and "the babe in [her] womb lept for joy."

We, too, carry within ourselves the living and activie and eternal word of God.  We are His carriers on earth.  Those who have ears will hear the sound of our voice, and something inside will leap for joy.  Those whose ears and hearts are stopped up will hear only a thundering noise that must be stopped. 

If we do not love the truth, we will not hear the truth, for we love instead the things of this world.  But if we love the truth, we will hear the voice of God and of one another.