I remember a few years ago a short video that went viral about a little boy arguing with his adult saying, "listen, Linda, listen, listen...". I still chuckle at that. It also causes me to question my ability to listen carefully and intentionally. Am I listening just to hear sound waves? Or am I checking for accuracy to make sure that what I am hearing is what the emitter of the sound intended.Recently, I've been contacted by several people who are "sensing" a heaviness, a pressure, sometimes a deep sadness, or a weight on their chest. I can identify with all of the above. It makes sense to attribute those feelings to depression, if it is at the individual level. BUT, when several people are experiencing similar things independent of each other I have to stop, pray and listen.
The easiest thing to identify is the global state of affairs. All we have to do is read a newspaper or listen to a news program to get sucked into the doomsday scenario. BUT, there's more. From a psychological perspective, there seems to be a resurgence of hedonism thinly disguised as leaving our cares behind for the sake of our sanity. We only have one body and one life to live so we must make the best of it. This a "carpe diem" on steroids, or quaaludes, whatever may be your preference. BUT, wait, there's more.
From a spiritual standpoint, this could be an invitation. Listen, Linda, listen... consider this;
Picture this scenario, Old Testament Israel is taken to Babylon as captives. Ezekiel, the priest that did not want to be a prophet but God gave him visions anyways, sees the glory of the Lord as it rises and leaves the temple. He has that silent scream panic moment as he realizes that he's out of a job. So, no priestly work, no more sacrifices, no more cleaning utensils, no purpose, no identity. His entire sense of being was tied to that building. Now, there's no building. Yikes, what to do?
Now, granted I'm looking at this from a post messianic perspective. That is, I am comfortable with the idea of God not having geo-political restrictions nor space/time limitations. I am aware of the ubiquitousness of God's pressence.
However, for Ezekiel it was inconceivable to consider God outside of the temple, especially in Babylon. I submit for your consideration that Ezekiel, and many like him, had forgotten their history. They forgot how the Presence of God tabernacled with them constantly; how the people were guided through the desert by a cloud by day and a column of fire by night. They forgot that God was with them from Egypt to Canaan, and everywhere in between. They forgot so much. And now, God was letting them know that once again His presence was available everywhere, not just in Jerusalem. Yes, it's ok to cry and grieve the loss of land, country, leadership, etc. Nevertheless, God was there with them, as He was in the desert. God was in the process of transforming the priesthood, but the priests would not listen! God was inviting them to enter the process of preparing the way for the coming of Messiah. All of them were given signs, yet only a few understood.
Bring it back to today. We could very well succumb to the "doomsayers" and the "ay, benditos" (PR speak). We could choose our own healing and wellbeing path by learning to not give a $#&@! We could just throw the covers over our head and go back to sleep. Or, we could choose to listen, REALLY listen. Something amazing is happening around us. It seems to be some sort of invitation. I don't know what it is yet. BUT, I choose to listen and pay attention. I choose to enter the dialogue with The Source of Wisdom. I choose to listen and obey Jesus' declaration, let those who have ears to hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying.
How about you?
