Written by Kristi Bond, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Heb 12:1 NIV)
We learn a lot just from growing old. Aging brings with it a host of ailments that challenge our physical capacities. Although it’s not unheard of, it is rare for 80-year-olds to run races. My back problems can attest that aging is not always fun! But one of the worst problems I have had in recent years has to do with my ability to hear.
A few years ago, I began to experience brief periods of hearing loss. My ears felt full, and I struggled to hear voices, especially my husband’s low voice. These sensations would last anywhere from three days to three weeks, until last year I lost low-range hearing in my left ear for four months. At work, I had to strain to hear my students. Sitting right next to my husband in the car, I often didn’t know he had spoken to me. And at church, it became hard to praise God with my brothers and sisters because my own singing was all I could hear. The audiologist explained that my ears were producing an internal fluid that impacted my ability to hear and that these episodes would come and go, but get worse with time. My ears are working against me!
Sometimes, we are our own worst enemies. This is especially true when it comes to listening. Our priorities and desires hinder us from hearing others. Sin and self-absorption create an internal fluid that blocks out any sound other than our own voice, and we stop listening for the needs of those around us. It’s easy to lose our focus on what God is trying to tell us. We seek pleasure or rest in things other than God, or we lean into our anger, anxiety, or resentment. These periods of hearing loss can be brief, or we can spend a lifetime ignoring God in favor of our emotions or desires.
Hebrews 12:1 tells us that we are running a race. We have the advantage of a running coach who lives within us—the Spirit of the living God. Are we letting our priorities keep us from hearing Him? Is our sin quelching the Holy Spirit? Daily training is available through the Word of God. Are we able to hear His instructions?
Jesus frequently says to His listeners: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Our relationship with God suffers when we listen only to our own desires. Let’s be Christ-followers who have ears to hear!
We often think of running as an individual sport, but we should not underestimate the importance of knowing our fellow runners. I watched a race in the Olympics this year where one runner accidentally tripped up another participant, and both runners fell and were disqualified. How tragic for those who have trained so hard to get to the race of their dreams! We don’t want to be so self-absorbed that we cause ourselves and others to fall. Put another way, when all we can hear is ourselves, we can’t hear each other. If we are to “run with perseverance”, we will need to encourage and be encouraged by our fellow runners.
As I grow older and experience more and more hearing loss, it takes more effort to listen. I refuse to withdraw inside myself, though. Instead, I will actively seek ways to worship, interact, and connect with others despite the disease I am experiencing. Jesus healed a deaf-mute by touching his ears (Mk 7:31-37), and He can open my ears too – both physical and spiritual. I pray that He will remove the sin and selfishness that keeps me from hearing Him and others as I actively seek to listen.
In what ways can you listen more actively to God this week?