It was certainly not feminine mystique, but NaNaw exuded the mystery of a life, large-lived, unveiled to her grandchildren only in glimpses and curios.  She was a woman of fierce intensity.  Her soul-piercing gaze could freeze young hearts.  She had a “yard-broom” made of long, thin branches, any one of which might in a moment be plucked out as a rod of reproof.  But when she smiled, it was like the sun after rain.

Her décor was eclectic.  A Japanese watercolor of Mt. Fuji.  The ornately carved pump organ with its swirly chair.  And especially her trunk, whose collection boasted her grandfather’s powder horn, a torn Confederate dollar, and bundles of cards and letters from my father and my uncles when they were mere boys serving their Uncle Sam at the ends of the world.  Though ancient in my estimation, NaNaw was never frail.   She was vigorous in everything except her hearing.  Though, my mother often remarked that NaNaw couldn’t hear you if you were speaking to her but would hear you clearly from three rooms away if you were speaking about her.

Good hearing depends upon much more than the operational efficiency of our ear drums, middle-ear ossicles, cochlea, and inner ear.  It is enhanced by other senses as well as our  mindfulness.  As anyone who lives near train tracks can tell you, it is easy to filter out routine sounds, no matter how invasive.  We tune out and we tune in.  When we hear our name in a crowd, we tune in.  When we hear our mother tongue in a foreign land, we tune in.  But as Charlie Brown’s teacher illustrates, we often tune out when listening to authority or criticism.

Good hearing requires more than sharp ears.  It involves choice.  And it involves commitment.  It demands discernment.  It is not limited to the point in time in which communication occurs. It requires preparation before.  And reflection afterwards.  It must hear both what is auditory and what is not.  Consequently, in English we distinguish between listening and hearing.  

The Gospel of Mark is the action gospel.  King Jesus appears in glory and power.  He demolishes the dominion of Satan.  He proclaims the coming Kingdom of God.  And though Mark often mentions Jesus’ teaching, he does not recount much of it.   Only in Mark 4 and Mark 12 is the content of Jesus’ teaching recorded.  And in both chapters, we read “and he began to speak to them in parables.”  He commands his hearers and us to “Listen!… He who has ears to hear let him hear.”  Then warns,

Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. -Mark 4:24-25

How good is your hearing?  Are you a careful listener?  A selective listener?  Are you tuning in to God’s Word?  Or tuning Him out?  What are you choosing to hear?  And whose words are you trusting?  What measuring cup are you using to scoop God’s Word into the mixture of your life? 

Join us this Lord’s Day as we examine Mark 4:21-34 and consider what it looks like to have good hearing.  We meet Sundays at 10:30 am on the square in Pottsville, Arkansas right next to historic Potts’ Inn for worship.  Get directions here or contact us for more info.  Or join us on Facebook Live @PottsvilleARP or YouTube.