Attention… now that’s an intriguing word. Let me say it again, attention. May I have your attention. We often think of attention as a military term, stand at attention, or maybe in a classroom when a teacher says “attention”, or for important announcements, “may I have your attention.” But attention is so much more than just an important moment or a time to get a rowdy class to quiet down. Attention is something we must give 24/7. As we interact with others, we need to listen, and listening requires attention. I am just as guilty as the next person at not giving people my full attention when they are telling me something. It often gets me into trouble. We must pay attention to those around us, to what they are saying, to how/why they are acting, to who they are.
By now, you’re probably wondering, where’s the story? He just lectured us on listening and attention. But here’s the story…
Some of you may be wanting more details about how I was finally called on the World Race. Did I have a moment where God spoke clearly? Did I have it confirmed by multiple people? Why the World Race? Why now? Well, as interest was peaking, I was asking close friends whether I was more geared for the World Race or for ministry in a church (particularly for this next year), I believe it was a unanimous “World Race”. You would think that would be enough, but I like to have options and the World Race is such a commitment, leaving behind friends and family, not to mention having an unfinished graduate degree. I like to have a plan, and the World Race is anything but. So, a few weeks ago, I’m out with a youth group in Tennessee. I had an interview for a youth pastor position a few days before. It went well, but I was feeling very passionately about the World Race, and not nearly as much about this position. Don’t get me wrong, loved the position, but just wasn’t fully sold out about it. Now, in TN the youth were given some alone time after a teaching time and I went out for a walk on the mountain to get away (I’m an introvert) and just spend time with God. Now, if you know me, you know I love to talk to myself. So I’m talking away as if I were talking to an old friend, carrying on both sides of the conversation, and all of a sudden I realize, this isn’t just me speaking, God is speaking through my “other self”. Some of the things I was saying just were not things I would normally say and two things stuck out. I wanted something to happen, I wanted an answer, a sign, a door to open or shut, something. And God said, don’t ask me about it until Thursday (when I was back from TN), you will have an answer by then. The very next day (it was Tuesday), I get a call from the church saying that I was well-qualified for the position, but they felt I was more passionate for something else, that being the World Race, and they were essentially rejecting me as a candidate. I had the biggest smile on my face… for a few reasons: 1. God was faithful in his promise and opening/closing doors; 2. The World Race is what I was called to and I was excited for it; 3. Being in God’s will and having it confirmed should always be the greatest joy.
So what does this have to do with attention? Well, I’ve been listening to a song titled “Attention” by Know Hope Collective and the chorus simply says, “Speak, you have my attention, you have my attention, you have my attention, Lord.” The Lord finally had my attention and He gave me an answer.
So I ask you this, what has your attention? Is it the Lord or something/someone else? And what are you going to do about it? Will you take heed to the Lord’s answer(s) when He chooses to speak or will you ignore Him and run from Him? May our cry today be, “speak, you have my attention, Lord” because He deserves our attention and our lives depend on giving Him our attention.
