An Evening of Listening Closely

My dear son,

I would love for you to carry my words with you, rather than hearing them briefly and moving on. Give them a little of your time, as you might return in your thoughts to something said by someone you love.

A heart that welcomes my word has room to grow more deeply. I delight in your desire to know me better, instead of closing the door because you think you have already heard everything a passage has to say.

You do not need to take in a great deal tonight. Read one verse slowly and bring it before me alongside your life. What I treasure is your attention to my voice, more than the amount of reading you have completed.

With all my love,
Your Father

Mark 4:24–25

WEB

24He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you; and more will be given to you who hear.
25For whoever has, to him more will be given; and he who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him.”

A short reflection

Jesus urges careful attention to his words. The image of receiving according to the measure used emphasizes the importance of responding to what is heard.

World English Bible (WEB) · Public DomainRead the chapter