What Do You Hear??

As a girl from the midwest, located in heart of the United States, the only views offered are those of corn fields, flat land, lot's of cattle, farms, and ranches. If you are lucky enough, you could brag about seeing a tornado! Other than that, there isn't much to see or be excited about. So, in the summer of 2004, I took a friend and my two dogs and headed to North Carolina. I had heard so much about the Great Smoky Mountains and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. Since the Native American culture has always been so fascinating to me I thought North Carolina would be the perfect destination to learn more about their way of life. Today I'm going to share a bit of wisdom I heard from Chief Ahoyka while on that trip (I can't believe I remembered his name). It is a lesson we can apply today on our walk with Christ.

It was during the noon lunch hour at the Cherokee Indian Reservation where a large crowd was gathered around the center square in anticipation of a pow wow. I was in the front row, seated on the grass, literally feet away from the edge of the designated dance area. Voices from the crowd, children playing, music piped through the outdoor public address system and honking car horns filled the air. Suddenly, Chief Ahoyka appeared. Cheers and whistles erupted. The Chief slowly raised his arms and the crowd grew silent. For the next one and a half hours, I sat in awe as the Cherokee Indians played their hearts out. As the presentation ended, the Chief appeared again. At the time, he asked what I thought was a strange question, "Did anyone hear the cricket while we were drumming with mother earth?" CRICKET?? WHAT CRICKET? A voice came from the crowd, "There was no cricket, and even if there was no one would have heard it over your chanting, drumming, and wind instruments."

Chief Ahoyka responded back, "No. I'm sure of it. No one here heard a cricket?" The gentleman bellowed back, "What? You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all this noise!" "No, I'm sure of it," said the Chief. He listened carefully for a moment and then began walking across the parking lot to a set of bushes just on the other side. All eyes were fixed on him. He reached into the bushes beneath the branches, and sure enough, there was a small cricket! We were all stupified. The young gentleman shouted out, "That's incredible. You must have super-human ears!" "No," said Chief Ahoyka, "My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you're listening for." "But that can't be," said the man. I could never hear a cricket in all this noise and neither could any of us here." "Yes you can," came the reply. "Here, let me show you."
Chief Ahoyka reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk beside him. And then, with the noise of the passing traffic and children's joyful screams coming from the playground, they noticed that every person's head within twenty feet turned and looked to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement fell from their pocket. "See what I mean?" asked the Chief. "It all depends on what's important to you, and what you're listening for." That's what was so tremendous about that day at the Cherokee Nation. After each performance, the Chief appears to share some Native wisdom.
I took something away that day. What's important to us? What do we listen for? The next concert announcement? The car radio? When our date arrives? The point is, there are times we fail to listen to God because we are FOCUSED on other things that are more important to us. The scripture, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) should have new meaning for you. The verse encourages believers to reflect on God ... relax, pause, or even stop ... and reflect on Who God is, but there is more to this psalm. That is, we need to take time out of our day to meditate on Scripture and be still, BE SILENT with listening ears toward God.

Amid the distractions of the world all around us (relationships, the Internet, sports, TV, politics, etc) may our ears always be open, not only ready to listen for but to hear and be obedient to God's voice as He speaks to us through His Word (1 Samuel 3: 9-10; John 8:47; John 10:4; 1 John 4:6).
Until next time,
-Pat-