For my journey through the Bible, I have been using The Message paraphrase. Why? Because the raw modern language speaks powerfully. This week, one phrase hit home more than the rest.
Mark 4:9 records an incident where Jesus is telling another story. Then he asks, "Are you listening to this? Really listening?"
The question really hit me between the eyes. I didn't want to answer honestly. In fact, I didn't even stop to think about it. I figured that if I just kept reading, something else would strike me, and I'd be off the hook. But it didn't.
Am I listening? Really listening?
I could make all sorts of excuses. But that's all they would be. Excuses.
Am I listening? Really listening?
No.
Lord, Jesus Christ. Have mercy on me, a sinner.
2 comments:
I know what you mean. I'm always seeing that Jesus is always listening to everything I write about and it puts me under a lot of pressure but I love it because he's blessed me in so many ways.
PJ,
You know I really think we are in that 80/20 rule the wrong way most of the time... meaning we only are listing 20% of the time that we really should be. Actually, to be honest 20% is really pushing it. Better work on turning that around huh.
ct
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