But My people did not listen to My voice; Israel did not obey Me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own plans. If only My people would listen to Me and Israel would follow My ways.

Psalm 81:11-13 CSB

Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams. Are you listening to this? Really listening?

Mark 4:3-9 MSG

I hear a lot of things. 

• I hear things on the news and what’s going on in sports. 
• I hear birds singing in the morning outside the house.
• I hear the Word read on Sunday.
• I hear the rain on the window, especially when driven by the wind.
• I hear my heart beat after a workout. 
• I hear Jen talk about her day. 
• I hear my kids tell stories about their adventures and lives. 

I hear a lot of things. But how often do I really listen? It seems as if Jesus asks us to do more than hear, because it’s not our ability to hear that’s linked to the state of our hearts. It’s our ability to truly listen. 

My ability to listen is directly linked to the state of my heart. 

When it comes to relationships, really listening shows care, deepens the connection, and displays a willingness to engage/act in meaningful ways. This is as true with my heavenly Father as it is with people. When I hear God’s Word, am I really listening or just hearing words read off a page? When He speaks, am I hearing or am I listening? Hearing means sound is coming into my ears, listening means engagement and action (obedience!) are flowing from my heart and life.

The Parable of the Soils (which is what Mark 4 is often called) paints a picture of the various ways hearts/lives “listen” to God’s Word – how we engage with it, how we act on it. When Jesus says “Are you listening to this? Really listening?”, He is inviting us to respond rightly by truly embracing what is being said and then acting accordingly. 

When I am not willing to listen, God lets me hear what I want to hear – my own ways and life and thoughts become better than His – I am “stubborn,” proud, acting on my own plans rather than acting on His. Not really listening. And oh, how He wants us to listen and follow Him (Read Psalm 81:11-13 again!)

Following Jesus means that I am willing to do what I hear Him – it means that I will really listen. This listening reveals my yielded heart, my engaged life, and displays my desire to do it His way.

Am I listening? Really listening?