Monday, March 17, 2003
Monday, March 17, 2003
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his
hand. O that today you would listen to his voice!
But the man didn't move quickly enough. He was knocked to the ground by the car, but
fortunately he was bruised only slightly. He got up and started muttering about "that dumb
parrot."
Whereupon the parrot looked at him and said, "Who's dumb? For five years you've tried to get
me to talk, and then when I do you won't listen."
Some of us are not very good at listening--particularly to God. Do you set a time each day to
listen to the voice of God? Do you take your family to God, your work to God, your daily
responsibilities? Do you take your church to God and ask God's guidance in how you may help
your church be what God wants you to be?
(Psalm 95.7
NRSV)
There is a ridiculous story about a man who purchased a parrot and for years tried in vain to get
it to talk. He read books on the subject, bought long-playing records for the bird to listen to,
hoping that would encourage it to talk. Nothing helped. He got disgusted with the parrot and
decided to take it back to the pet store. As he crossed the street, he failed to see a car coming
right at them. The parrot saw the car and yelled, "Look out!"
Dear Jesus, I confess that I am not a very good listener. Help me to listen to your still strong
voice. Amen.
