Giving Attention

Season 2 Episode 10 -- What can we learn about giving attention to God and others by observing a herd of elk?  Listen and find out!

"Reflect on This" is a once-weekly, short devotional podcast. In these devotionals, I share the things I am learning about the ways and nature of God, in what I hope are practical and meaningful ways.
 
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Resources that inspired some episodes:

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis
 
 Blog by Seth Lewis:  https://sethlewis.ie/

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
 Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers 3-month paid apprenticeships to unemployed young men.  These apprentices learn valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  The sale of the high-quality furniture they produce supports the ministry.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope" (podcast)
This is a 4-minute weekday podcast, where Joni shares stories of her life and biblical applications.  One of the world's longest living quadriplegics, God has used her courage, determination, faithfulness, and love to inspire and minister in amazing ways to people around the world.    
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes many free public domain resources (and many other resources for purchase), including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, devotionals, and maps.  You can simultaneously view multiple Bible translations, a dictionary, and a commentary.  
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Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
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Transcript

I have continued to enjoy reading “The Pleasure of His Company,” a wonderful book by Dutch Sheets.  In chapter 16, he shares how he gained a wonderful insight into God’s ways and nature, as he slowly snuck up on a small herd of elk and watched them from just 20 yards away.  Sheets writes:

“One of the things that intrigued me most was the twitching of their ears. Ever vigilant, each time they heard a sound, their ears would prick up in order to hear it even better. Whether eating, drinking, or taking a step, they were always diligent to listen for a potential threat — [because] their lives depended on it. As I watched them, the pricking up of their ears reminded me of a word I had studied... I recalled that this was the literal meaning of one of the Hebrew words for “listening,” qashab, [which means] “to prick up the ears like an animal coming to alertness.” This live picture, painted by the elk, was indeed worth a thousand words.”

“My understanding of “giving attention to” the Lord’s words went to a whole new level as I watched the ever-vigilant ears of the elk. Always listen diligently for His voice, as though your life depends on it, is what came to my mind. No matter what else you happen to be doing, remain tuned in to Him.”

Here is one of the Old Testament passages that uses this Hebrew word:

Proverbs 4:20-23 (NIV) My son, pay attention [Hebrew, qashab] to what I say; turn your ear to my words. [21] Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; [22] for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body. [23] Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

This passage contains much insight into the human heart.  As I reflected upon the first verse of this passage, with this new understanding of this Hebrew word, it was as if God was telling me, “My son, always listen diligently for My voice, as though your life depends on it.”  This is not just during our devotional time with God.  It is throughout the day.  As Sheets said, “No matter what else you happen to be doing, remain tuned in to Him.”

Recently, as I was sitting before the Lord, enjoying His presence and reflecting further upon this new insight, the Lord seemed to speak to me and say, "As you learn to listen more diligently to Me, your love for Me will grow."

I then asked the Lord why listening more diligently leads to greater love.  He seemed to reply, “To whoever we give more of our attention, we are giving them more of our heart.”

This association of giving our heart to God and giving attention to and observing God is confirmed in this verse:

Proverbs 23:26 (HCSB) My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe [and give attention to] my ways.

This verse is advice from a wise father (Solomon) to his son.  This verse encourages us to give our attention to, and listen to, those that are father figures to us, such as our earthly father, our spiritual fathers and mentors, and others who have imparted wisdom to us.  It can also refer to God speaking to His spiritual children.  In other words, God is speaking to us, imploring us to give our hearts to Him, and to observe intently, and give attention to, His ways and nature.

Since we are made in the image of God, this principle also applies to our relationships with people.  To whoever we give more of our attention, we are giving them more of our heart.  

Let’s go back and review the last verse of today’s passage.  Verse 23 warns us that “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Because of this warning, then I believe that we should be very careful about the people to whom we give a lot of attention, because that is a way of guarding our heart.

Will you join me in purposing to give my attention and my heart first and foremost to God, and then to the people that God has given me to love, serve, and protect?

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”