Invited: The Heart of Your Presence

Come....See....Listen

Some time ago, I came across author Taylor Caldwell’s book, ‘The Listener.’  Her writing tells the story of 15 souls, from various walks of life, who enter a sanctuary-like building designated for people to find respite amid the presence of a ‘Listener’.  In the beginning, each person projects their own sense of who this hidden, unseen listener might be. Over time as their mirrored perceptions fade, each person opens his/her heart and soul to this undisclosed presence.  In the end, as their burdens of life are spoken and lifted, the mystery and reverence of ‘the Listener’ is revealed. 

The pages clearly portray the immeasurable value and holiness of ‘being present’ to and with another. The one whose heart and soul is heard knows s/he matters. I believe there are times when every one of us needs to be truly heard, just as there are times each of us needs to fully listen. Being present to another offers the other a safe place to sort through and/or treasure one’s own thoughts. 

How often in prayer do we come to God looking for the same?  We come with our petitions, our sorrows, our joys, and our questions…each prayer colored by any assortment of emotions; or perhaps just a blank page seeking refuge. We look to God to Listen, Respond, be our Change-maker, our Decision-maker, Comforter, Peacemaker, and our Strength. Through all our prayers and conversations, we hold on to the hope and/or belief that God will passionately listen to us. Did I miss anything?  Ah yes, we come asking for Forgiveness through God’s Grace and Mercy.  I believe this covers everything.

Basically, you and I want to know we matter to God!  We do. And our prayers and conversations help us stay in relationship with God, the One we come to. Still, this is only part of the story.

Let’s return for a moment to Taylor Caldwell’s story.  What if the roles were reversed?  What if you or I were ‘The Listener’?  What if God entered that building to pour out His/Her Spirit to us?  What might we hear?   Well, here’s my instinctive guess……..

“Hello, my name is Yahweh. You know I have so many children.  I could tell you all their names, but that would take forever.  Anyway, each week they gather together in groups to Worship and talk to me. And while I so love to hear their voices, sometimes I sense their minds or hearts are elsewhere. They’re thinking about yesterday or tomorrow, or something else. And the music... how I love music!  I'm always hopeful my children hear the words they sing. Their voices sound like angels to my ears.  And those beautiful prayers…so much to reflect on!  I hope they do.  
I hope they don't mind when a song or message takes a little longer. Their worship time together ends soon enough.  After all they can come to me any time of the day or night.  You know what I really like?  I like when I can feel my children’s passion. And I love when they come to commune with me. They remember :)   It’s always good to know I truly matter to them.  It brings me joy when they commit to loving me in the midst of community. They need to know my Gift of Grace is free and meant to be shared with others too..

What I want above all is what I’ve always wanted…a two way passionate relationship with all my children. Someday I’ll tell you all their names. For now, thank you. I’m so glad we listened to each other.”    

Shalom,

Susan