Monday, July 23, 2012

God Always Hears You

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” -- John 11:41-42

Immediately after this statement, Jesus called for Lazarus to come out of the cave where he had been buried. And he did. He lived and all those who witnessed it saw God’s glory fulfilled.

Lazarus wasn’t the only person Jesus raised from the dead. Think of Jairus’s daughter and a widow’s son. But we remember this passage because it contains the shortest verse in the Bible (Jesus wept.) and because Lazarus and Mary and Martha were good friends of Jesus.

And maybe also we remember this passage because Jesus pointedly thanks His Father for hearing Him. God always hears us. We do know that. But it helps to be reminded of it and Jesus understood that.

God cares about the details of our lives. He hears us no matter what we say, or even think. God never turns away from His children. He wants that relationship that comes when two people actually converse and share.

Sometimes we miss that bond here on earth. We want other people to notice us, to hear us, to care about and desire a relationship with us. And they don’t. That hurts.

Oh, they don’t come right out and say it but their actions speak loudly. When people never remember what you’ve said, chances are they never heard you the first time because they just didn’t care. We can make excuses: hard of hearing, distracted, etc. But it all comes down to the same thing: You weren’t important enough for them to focus their attention on you.

It is hard sometimes to give someone your undivided attention. I think of a parent trying to get tasks done, all the while her young child rambles on and on. She’d like peace and quiet. At least, until her child doesn’t want to talk to her anymore. Then she understands how much she’s missed because she didn’t listen.

We don’t realize how much it means to share the details until we don’t have anyone to hear them. Maybe that’s why there are so very many lonely people in the world. And I’m not just talking about those who live alone. The details are what make up the days of our lives. They may not seem important but they are important. Having someone recognize that and really heart us can make all the difference.

God cares about the details. When no one else wants to know how your day has gone, tell God. When you want to share a funny story, share it with God. He’s a ready and willing listener. He always remembers exactly what you say. And He loves you unconditionally no matter what.