Are you listening?
by Pastor Mark Gierus
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He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths (Isaiah 2:3b).
Are you a good listener? There is the temptation, especially when you are busy, to not listen very well or perhaps at all. We also want to do the teaching bit to others, especially when they don’t quite see things the way we do. Yet when it comes to listening and learning through listening, many of us struggle.
God wants us to learn from him – to learn his ways and walk in his Word, Jesus Christ. In a world hungry for spirituality, let us live out our Christian spirituality or a life in the spirit of Jesus Christ.
Let us come to our Heavenly Father through Jesus, hearing his word. As we hear the word of our Lord, we come to know him. He teaches us his ways, not so that we can look down on others with our spiritual wisdom, but so that we can build others up in the love of God. Our call is to go into the world to make disciples of all nations. As we go, it is Jesus who goes with us. He is a light shining in us and through us to those we come in contact with, whether by word or deed.
God loves us and wants to teach us his ways so we can walk in his path. We follow Jesus to the cross, not on a path of glory but humility, patience, kindness, gentleness and love. At the cross, we are reminded again of what Jesus has won for us. In Jesus, we are forgiven, so now, by faith, there is no condemnation. In Jesus, we have been put in a right relationship with our Heavenly Father. In Jesus, we have salvation – we are saved from sin, eternal death and the power of the devil.
When the devil says to you, ‘See your shame, guilt and failure. See how you are not worthy of God’s love. See how you could never get it right’, it is then that Jesus speaks for us and in us. ‘You are loved, you are valuable, you have hope, you are forgiven, and you are mine.’
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, leads us on the path of righteousness for his name’s sake. So, listen to the soft voice of the Lord when he says, ‘Follow me, and I will lead you and guide you. You are mine’.
God of grace, you want to teach me your ways, so I may walk in your truth forever. Help me to follow your living Word, Jesus. Remind me that you want the best for me and that everything you teach me will not always be easy, but help me trust you as I follow where you lead me. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Mark Gierus is currently serving in Brisbane, Queensland, as a Lutheran college pastor. He has two beautiful girls aged six and nine and enjoys hiking with them, looking after their pets as a family and going on road trips. Mark prays that God will continue to bless you as you grow in him and come to know him more and more through his life-giving eternal word.
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