Listen!

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’

“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen!” Matthew 11:7-15 

A friend has  recorded the sounds of the world around him and found ways to make music from them. The ambient sounds we often filter out became a lovely song. We often shut out the people and words that can change our lives from sorrow and obscurity to beauty and belonging. Instead we listen to the sensational and the bizarre, we rubberneck rather than help. We try so hard to control our world rather than experience it fully.

Jesus invites those who would listen to see the world through the eyes and ears of God. The people listening wanted a way to control and conquer their daily lives. Jesus invited the into the beauty and real chaos of the world. He invited them to see and hear the love of God around them, and he invites us still today.

Today, I ask God to help me open my ears and eyes to God's blessings around me. May we not fear the world but rather love our neighbors, loving and helping them, so that we might experience the living presence of a loving Creator.