Hearken

(Proverbs 7:24 KJV)  Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.

I feel Solomon’s pain in this verse.  He has so much to share.  It is important to “listen” (8085) for immediate concerns and eternal consequences.  I don’t know what distractions he had to deal with in the ancient world.  I am sure there were wars and rumors of wars to get people to worry, just like today.  I am sure kids were pitching pennies or playing mumbly peg with their knives.  We think we are busier and more driven but they had to haul water, chop wood and that multitude of business that machines do for us today.

They did not listen any more than we do.  Human nature does not change.  We may have different topics of our gossip, different names for our romances and different technologies for our games but they still keep us from listening.

The ultimate distraction is our lack of concern.  I see it every day in the classroom.  I see it every day on the street.  I see it in others.  I see it in myself.

So?  First, accept the fact that God is trying to speak to you.  Yes, you.  Unless you check your e-mail you don’t know what it says.  Get with it and start listening.  I think that means now.