by Bill Dorman (John 13:34-35)

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A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times
Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with
people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were
wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American
said, "I hear a cricket."

His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn’t possibly hear a cricket in
all of this noise!"

"No, I’m sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a
cricket."

"That’s crazy," said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street
to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath
the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.

"That’s incredible," said his friend. "You must have super- human
ears!"

"No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours. It
all depends on what you’re listening for."

"But that can’t be!" said the friend. "I could never hear a cricket in
this noise."

"Yes, it’s true," came the reply. "It depends on what is really
important to you. Here, let me show you."

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the
sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they
noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on
the pavement was theirs.

"See what I mean?" asked the Native American. "It all depends on what’s
important to you."

What’s important to you? What do you listen for? Some people say that there is no God,
and that He never speaks to us anymore. But perhaps they can’t see or hear Him because
they aren’t listening for Him. They are living for themselves, not for God.

If you are in tune with God, you will be able to notice Him at work in your life and in
the world. And you’ll be able to hear Him when He Speaks.

Jesus, said, "For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of
hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted,
and I should Heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they
hear" (Matthew 13:15-16).

In His Love and Service,

Bill Dorman (John 13:34-35)

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