I would like to believe that I know what I need. I am an adult; at least my age says that I am. I am aware of what I need; I like to remind myself of this belief even as I doubt that it is true. When I find myself stressed or filled with fear, I tend to look for something outside rather than reflect on what might be missing inside. Life is not guided by my arrogance or ignorance, which is a good thing.
As I approach a new opportunity, I am struck by the insight a previously unknown professor shared recently. As I listened to his stories, I found myself growing quiet inside. Every part of me was trying to hear without preconceived ideas and conclusions. My senses told me that this was real food! It was different. It was rich. It was going to take time to understand and even then, it was likely that I would find myself wishing that I had a recording of the session.
As I continue to digest the insights presented, I find myself wondering if my approach is a poor man’s caricature of how God hears humanity. I know that I often think that God is too busy. Divinity must be occupied, there is so much injustice and inhumanity in this world that required divine solutions! As much as I have been taught, I still find myself mirroring the behavior of a young child that appears to reject any and all forms of learning and change.
I am not the first one to question God’s willingness to listen. I am reassured by words one of Divinity’s recognizes sons who had a divine heart left us; “he most surely did listen, he came on the double when he heard my prayer.” (Psalm 66.19)
When I responded to the professor with an email that said thank-you and by the way, I have lots of questions, I received a reply. Paraphrasing, “Your questions are the right ones, keep exploring and pursuing. You are on the right track.”
Divinity hears us.
